The Church Leaders' Group has issued the following statement:

As people of faith, as Christian leaders, and as individuals made in the image of God, we believe that human life is a divine and sacred gift to be cherished, nurtured and protected.  Murder, which is the intentional and unlawful killing of another human, can therefore never be justified or legitimised. 

We unequivocally condemn any attempt by individuals, or sections of the community, to justify or legitimise the murder of others.  Such comments underline, and make it very clear, that the work of reconciliation is more important than ever and that we still have a long way to travel.

As we, and our predecessors, have said before, when we reflect on our past in Northern Ireland, ‘we all have a moral responsibility to acknowledge the corrosive impact of violence’ and, alongside that, also ‘a duty of care to those still living with the trauma of its aftermath’.

We offer our continued support to all victims of violence and pray for healing and peace, for individuals, for this community where we live, and for all in the world today living under the shadow of conflict.  May there be a renewed emphasis on the complex but essential work of reconciliation, so that we re-commit ourselves to working for a future of common understanding, respect and peace in this land, and for all peoples everywhere.

• The Church Leaders groups include, Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland; Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland; The Rt Revd Dr Trevor Gribben, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; The Revd Alan Wardlow, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and, The Rt Revd Sarah Groves, President of the Irish Council of Churches