Archbishop of Canterbury's peace wall prayers for Northern Ireland

The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged Northern Ireland's politicians to "take huge risks for peace" as Stormont comes ever closer to collapse.

Justin Welby – the leader of the Church of England – made the plea as he carried out a number of engagements in Northern Ireland yesterday.

Speaking to the Press during a visit to one of Belfast's peace walls on the first day of a three-day trip, the prominent clergyman said the long process of reconciliation was "an affair of the heart" rather than "simply structures".

Standing at a mural called 'Only A Fool Would Fight' on Cupar Way close to the Falls Road, Archbishop Welby emphasised courage and perseverance in overcoming historical divisions and current difficulties.

Speaking as fears rise over the future of Stormont because of division between the DUP and Sinn Fein, he said: "Politicians are absolutely essential, the leadership is essential – risk-taking politicians, who take huge risks for peace.

"We need risk-taking politicians who set a lead in virtue, love for each other, for neighbour, for enemy, as Jesus commanded."

The Archbishop said he found the peace wall "hugely shocking".

"I've been here before but every time you see it, it reminds you of the depth of change that is required," he said.

"One of the key things in any process of reconciliation is persistence and perseverance. It's always an incredibly long-term process."

Northern Ireland was held up by the Archbishop as an example to other countries emerging from conflict. He said that although you can look at the peace wall and "feel a sense of sadness and grief", it gave other places a sense of hope.

"They look at what happened in Northern Ireland, at what is happening, and they say it is possible to change. This area has the potential to be a real light of hope around the world if it persists in the route that it's taking."

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Justin Welby is the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. The 58-year-old has been in charge of the Church of England since March last year when he took over from the Right Reverend Rowan Williams. As the Archbishop of Canterbury, he is Primate of All England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Welby was born in London. He is married to Caroline and they have had six children, including a seven-month-old daughter, Johanna, who was killed in a car crash in France in 1989.

Belfast Telegraph