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To the Leaders of THE IRISH CHURCHES:
	Mgr. Seán B. Brady Archbishop of Armagh President of the Bishops'Conference The Revd R. J. Gray Church of Ireland The Revd Dr. Samuel Hutchinson Presbyterian Church in Ireland The Revd Edmund T.I. Mawhinney Methodist Church in Ireland Dr. David Stevens Irish Council of Churches Geneva/St Gallen, 17 December 1999

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we greet you on behalf of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of Catholic Episcopal Conferences in Europe (CCEE).

Christians and churches in all Europe have sought to accompany, especially in prayer, their brothers and sisters in Northen Ireland and the Republic of Ireland throughout the long years of conflict and along the difficult road to a lasting and just peace. After the important step of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, now a further significant step has been taken witrh the setting up of the power-sharing executive and concomitant legal and constitutional measures. Therefore, on behalf of the wider Christian family in Europe we wish once again to affirm our solidarity and communion with you as leaders of the Irish churches and with all people of good will in Ireland..

We congratulate the leaders of all sections of political allegiance who have now felt able to take the decisive step of participating in the power-sharing executive. We are convinced that these steps towards peace are now possible thanks to those who in the past years, in a context of violence, decided to live radically the gospel of forgiveness and never gave up believing in the revolutionary strength of Christian love. This new step, we are aware, has meant a real step of faith for everyone concerned. We recall the biblical words: 'Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen' (Hebrews 11.1), and the promise that such ventures, stepping beyond fears for the sake of righteousness and peace, will be answered by the God of faithfulness and mercy, who is the Lord of history.

We are aware that this step is but the beginning of a new stage in the long-term effort to secure, for the present and coming generations, a new common life free from sectarianism, fear and violence. Your churches will also continue to announce the gospel. It will be the lived gospel, which will enable all people to redisover the seriousness of brotherhood and sisterhood, and will lead everyone to overcome any form of sectarianism and hate.Your churches will continue to have a vital role in enabling greater understanding between the different communities, the healing and reconciling of memories, and the undertaking of common tasks for the welfare of all the people. You will be a living example of the theme of the Second European assembly at Graz: `Reconciliation - Gift of God and Source of New Life.'

Finally, we wish to hold up the significance for the whole of Europe, of what has now taken place in Ireland. Tragically, as you know, our continent is still beset by scenes of conflict and violence, in which ethnic and religious differences have been a factor. The new progress made in Ireland is a sign of hope for us all, that by the grace of God and through faith, courage and perseverance, the way of peace and reconciliation is not just a dream but a real possibility. It is especially appropriate that we are able to express our gratitude for this during the season of Advent, when we celebrate the coming of the light of Christ into the world, and as we reaffirm our hope that God's new day is at hand.

May this hope spread far and wide in the coming days, and may God's blessing be upon you, your churches and all people throughout Ireland.

PILGRIMAGE 2000

The Conference of European Churches is a partner in the European Pilgrimage 2000 project. First details have been published of the pilgrimages for the year 2000. These are projected to visit North, South, East and West of the continent. The "Pilgrimage to the South", is set to arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece, for Easter, 2000, 27-30 April. The second, to the North, is to be at the Feast of St Olav, in Trondheim, Norway, from 26-31 July. The third, to the West, will be in Edinburgh, Scotland, entitled "Hallowed be Holyrood", from 8-14 September. Number five will be to Iasi, Romania, to celebrate the feast of St. Parascheva, from 10-15 October. One pilgrimage is already envisaged for the year 2001, this is expected to be to Prague, Czech Republic, 6-8 July, 2001.

Full details are available from European Pilgrimage 2000, P.B. 2045, N-7410 Trondheim, Norway. Internet: http://www.europeanpilgrimage.com, or by e-mail to: info@europeanpilgrimage.com.