Church leaders request prayers for North's leaders

Ireland's four main church leaders are requesting special prayers for the North's politicians at mass and services throughout the 32 counties next Sunday.

Pro-Agreement parties will by then have received joint British-Irish proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock over police reform and decommissioning.

The Taoiseach is refusing to disclose details of the package, which both Governments are reported to still be fine-tuning.

General Secretary of the Presbyterian church, Dr Sam Hutchinson, is appealing for a positive response from political leaders.