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DUP meets Irish Catholic leader DUP meets Irish Catholic leader
(about 2 hours later)
DUP leader Ian Paisley is holding his first formal talks with Ireland's most senior Catholic cleric. DUP leader Ian Paisley has held his first formal talks with Ireland's most senior Catholic cleric.
Mr Paisley, moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, is meeting Archbishop of Armagh Dr Sean Brady at Stormont. Mr Paisley, moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, met Archbishop of Armagh Dr Sean Brady at Stormont.
The discussions at Stormont come just two days before multi-party talks in St Andrews, Scotland, aimed at brokering a deal on devolution and policing. Speaking afterwards, Dr Brady described the discussions as "helpful and constructive".
The meeting comes just two days before multi-party talks in St Andrews, Scotland, aimed at brokering a deal on devolution and policing.
Dr Brady said it confirmed for him that everyone had a part to play in creating a more stable and prosperous future.
"I firmly believe that such a future is within our grasp if each one of us can find the courage to take account of the needs of the other, and not just those of our own community," he said.
"I think that real peace will come only when we focus on the common good of all of our society and not just on sectional interest."
Dr Brady said he discussed the need to develop support for law and order and he prayed that the coming months would bring "a more democratically accountable and stable society".
The DUP said the meeting was one of a series being held with church leaders.The DUP said the meeting was one of a series being held with church leaders.
Nationalist welcome
Mr Paisley's decision to meet Dr Brady was welcomed by nationalists.Mr Paisley's decision to meet Dr Brady was welcomed by nationalists.
The DUP delegation includes deputy leader Peter Robinson and MPs Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell. The DUP delegation included deputy leader Peter Robinson and MPs Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell.
The archbishop's delegation will include Bishop Francis Lagan, the auxiliary bishop of Derry, and Father Timothy Bartlett, secretary to the Northern Bishops. The archbishop's delegation included Bishop Francis Lagan, the auxiliary bishop of Derry, and Father Timothy Bartlett, secretary to the Northern Bishops.
The DUP is also meeting the Independent Monitoring Commission on Monday to discuss its latest report on IRA activity.The DUP is also meeting the Independent Monitoring Commission on Monday to discuss its latest report on IRA activity.
Separately, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet Sinn Fein and the SDLP in Dublin.Separately, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet Sinn Fein and the SDLP in Dublin.
'Famously denounced Pope''Famously denounced Pope'
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said the meeting would be about politics. BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said Archbishop Brady wanted to address a range of issues at the meeting.
"Archbishop Brady wants to address a range of issues," he said.
"They include sectarianism, racism, the political process and ethical questions like abortion and euthanasia."They include sectarianism, racism, the political process and ethical questions like abortion and euthanasia.
"As the moderator of the Free Presbyterian church, Ian Paisley once famously denounced the Pope as an anti-Christ."As the moderator of the Free Presbyterian church, Ian Paisley once famously denounced the Pope as an anti-Christ.
"But the DUP insists Monday's dialogue will be about politics not religion." However, he said the DUP insisted Monday's dialogue would be about politics not religion.
Mr Paisley's son, Ian Paisley Junior, said the pair would not be discussing theological matters.
Mr Campbell, DUP, said: "People extrapolate all sorts of things which, I think, the fullness of time will probably demonstrate were wide of the mark.
"We have had several meetings with other church leaders on political matters and this is another one. It is as simple as that."