The Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Robin Eames, has stressed the need for greater trust between individuals and communities in Northern Ireland as he opened the newly refurbished diocesan offices of the Church of Ireland in Derry.

Archbishop Eames said at the opening that the troubled past in Northern Ireland had led to the erosion of trust across the community, adding that "suspicion, doubt and differing interpretations of past events have driven wedges between people".

He urged Christians to pray for agreement wherever possible and that current efforts of politicians would remove obstacles to political progress.

Archbishop Eames stressed, however, that at the heart of the tensions was the issue of trust between people.

|QUOTE|"The urgent need of this moment is the courage to face up to this lack of trust at all levels. We must not allow any lack of effort, any lack of courage or any absence of self-confidence to stand in the way of building trust. Both our main communities have our doubts today.

"What we all need whether as politicians, churches or individuals, is new self-confidence. We have the lessons of the past. We have our memories. But there will never be the day of progress until we build up and cement trust between all our people. Political progress is part of that process. The work of the church is part of that process. Trust must be built on honesty, truth and co-operation."

He added: "We have all to gain by that progress - we have all to lose by its failure. So let us find the courage to build political and religious bridges which will give all of our people the stability and peace they so richly deserve."

The historic diocesan building was re-opened by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Dr Robin Eames, before it was dedicated by the present Bishop of Derry, the Rt Rev Ken Good.

The service took place in the presence of members of the Diocesan Council, representatives from other churches, the Mayor of Derry and local civic and community leaders.

Speaking ahead of the opening, the Bishop of Derry, the Rt Revd Ken Good, said, "The Church of Ireland wishes to play a significant part in the life of the city and community and this investment in the cathedral quarter is a sign of that commitment."