Leaders of three of the country's four main churches issued statements yesterday on the escalating crisis at Drumcree.
A spokesman for the Catholic Primate, Dr Sean Brady, said he would probably address the issue during a sermon next Sunday at the St John the Baptist church on the Garvaghy Road.
He and a spokeswoman for the Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames, said both leaders had been in constant contact and were involved in "delicate, crosscommunity" negotiations.
Both were still "hoping something would come of it".
The North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, will meet the four main church leaders in Belfast today.
In his statement yesterday Dr Eames condemned "all attacks on homes of Roman Catholics" by those claiming to represent loyalism" and "all attacks and intimidation of Protestants" by those claiming to represent some form of republicanism".
He also condemned attacks on the RUC and British army.
He appealed to everyone "to draw back, give us space and recognise that unless there is some solution to the impasse we will face a disaster".
The Presbyterian Moderator, Dr John Dixon, said it is now time for those involved to reach agreement or else to "keep the law and obey the legal determination as set down by the lawfully constituted Parades Commission".
Dr Dixon said he was "utterly appalled to see the dire consequences flowing from the inability of Orangemen and local residents to reach agreement over the Drumcree parade".
Details outlining the church's position on parades, urging all sides to keep within the law, has been sent to all Presbyterian ministers.
The Methodist president, the Rev David Kerr, said he "viewed with alarm the continuing stalemate at Drumcree".
He "unreservedly condemned the intimidation and attacks on people and members of the security forces and the destruction of property".
He warned people to be careful in what they said at this time of heightened tension, and reminded both communities "that over 70 per cent of people of Northern Ireland have expressed a clear will on two occasions for peace and accommodation".
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, has accused "Orange and Green intransigence of once again bringing Northern Ireland to the brink of disaster.
"Despite the expressed wish of the people of the whole island to give peace a chance, once again we watch helplessly as demands for rights consume efforts at reconciliation. In the headlong rush towards confrontation there seems no place for God."
He praised those involved in bridge building "year in year out", including Dr Eames who, during his 12 years as Church of Ireland primate, "has been a voice of moderation in a maelstrom of extremism".
He urged people to redouble their efforts and prayers for peace.
