20/08/2001

Catholic bishops support revised policing reform

The Catholic Church has given their backing to the revised plan for implementing police reform in Northern Ireland.

In a statement released on Sunday August 19 the northern Catholic bishops said they felt “sufficient grounds now exist to give real hope for a new beginning in policing.”

The public backing from the Catholic Church for the revised policing plan comes just before the midday Tuesday deadline to accept or reject the package.

The statement, issued to the Irish News said that while they shared some of nationalists’ reservations “about certain aspects of the updated implementation plan” the time was now right to grasp the opportunity to achieve a fair and impartial police service.

The statement also welcomed the emphasis on human rights in the new policing structures and said “young Catholics must feel totally free to choose whether or not to participate in the new policing service.”

The statement continued: “Policing is a noble vocation in the service of the common good. We as Catholic Church leaders wish to underline that once again. We would hope that such service for the common good would be a significant factor in all choices made by young people.”

The bishops also called on both governments and all political parties to continue to act in the interests of the common good. They said: “Both governments and all political parties must be willing to work to ensure the continuation of the institutions and processes of normalisation which will ensure a better future for all the people of Northern Ireland.” (AMcE)

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