The Catholic primate of all-Ireland, Dr Seán Brady, has welcomed what he described as the "helpful and very significant" statement by Gerry Adams calling on the IRA to abandon violence and commit itself to exclusively political and democratic means.
Dr Brady said that the IRA had the potential to unlock a new and fresh hope for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland if it acted on Mr Adams's words.
"I hope the IRA will respond quickly and generously. I plead with them to do so. People are weary of the old ways of the past. They yearn for and they deserve so much more. A new and a better way is possible," said Dr Brady in a statement from Rome, where he will attend today's funeral of Pope John Paul II.
He added: "This is the way of exclusively political and democratic activity, the way of patient dialogue and understanding, the way of equality and integrity, with shared respectful responsibility for our common future and success.
"That common future includes a firm commitment to one, agreed system of justice, government and law and order. It implies an end to all intimidation, subversive activity and violence," he said.
"Here in Rome, millions of people have gathered to celebrate the life of a man who changed hearts and minds, and even political systems across the world. He did so through honesty and truth, diplomacy and dialogue and through the courage of his convictions.
"He did not apologise for anything he believed. He was fearless and confident in making his case. Yet he always treated people with courtesy, warmth and respect. He was a living example of how to make peace in a global world, of how to achieve justice with dignity and equality with generosity.
"On departing our shores in October 1979, he said, 'I came to ask all Ireland to lift up its heart to a new vision of hope', " Dr Brady added.