It is often the case that when one side stumbles, the other comes up with the higher voice or longing and encouragement.  Sometimes those in the political sphere are the voice of reason (and policy) to urge greater commitment among religions to serve the cause of peace.  Other times religions somehow manifest harmony and voice encouragement and urge courage among political leaders.

Politicians this week struggled in to find a way forward with the Stormont power-sharing government for Northern Ireland.

Four churches have come together to urge perseverance among the political leaders working on the effort.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/church-leaders-urge-norths-politicians-to-strike-a-deal-443756.html

The leaders of Ireland’s four main churches today urged politicians to
redouble their efforts in talks to save the future of the Stormont
power-sharing government.

Their plea came after British Prime
Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen left the talks venue at
Hillsborough castle, Co Down, yesterday without securing agreement.

The
two leaders asked, however, that First Minister Peter Robinson and
deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness return to the negotiating table
and report on their progress by tomorrow morning.

In a further
development senior clerics offered their prayers and support in a joint
statement from Cardinal Sean Brady, Church of Ireland Archbishop Alan
Harper, Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson and Methodist
President Rev Donald Ker.

The men said they wished to put on
record their “admiration for the commitment of all parties engaged in
the talks to resolve the issues surrounding the devolution of policing
and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly”.

They
added: “The people of Northern Ireland expect their representatives to
ensure that agreement is reached. There is an overwhelming desire
throughout Northern Ireland for continued political progress and for
the peace process to be sustained.”