Church leaders have come together to deliver a message of reconciliation at a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney were among dignitaries who attended the service at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh.

The event, titled A Service of Reflection and Hope, was organised by the leaders of the main churches.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, First Minister Paul Givan, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, UUP leader Doug Beattie, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance leader Naomi Long also attended the service.

First Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis and Prime Minister Boris Johnson attending a service to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh
First Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis and Prime Minister Boris Johnson attending a service to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh (Liam McBurney/PA)

Sinn Fein did not send a representative.

The Queen had been set to attend but was unable to travel after she fell ill. She was represented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Armagh Lord Caledon.

About 150 people attended the service, including a number of schoolchildren.

The sermon was delivered by the president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Sahr Yambasu.

Originally from Sierra Leone, he is the first African-born leader of one of Ireland’s main churches.

He said he hoped the event could help people in Northern Ireland to choose a way forward which is mutually beneficial for everyone.

Northern Ireland centenary
Children from local schools sing during a service at St Patrick’s Cathedral (Liam McBurney/PA)

He said: “Today, we are marking a point in our history. We have come a long way – not just a century but centuries.

“During that time, people have cared for one another and made efforts to build community.

“But we have also been blighted by sectarian divisions, terrible injustices, destructive violence and by win-lose political attitudes.

“So, this service provides us with an opportunity to give thanks and, also, lament; to imagine what could be and to choose the way forward that can be mutually beneficial.”

The service also heard readings from local schoolchildren who urged political leaders to work together for a better future.

The event became the centre of a row last month after the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, declined an invitation to attend because he believed it was not politically neutral.

Northern Ireland centenary
Brandon Lewis, left, and Simon Coveney bump elbows in greeting at the service to mark Northern Ireland’s centenary (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Irish government was represented by Mr Coveney and chief whip Jack Chambers.

The service began with the ringing of the cathedral bell before the Dean of Armagh, the Rev Shane Forster, spoke in English and Irish and sent his good wishes to the Queen.

Welcoming the congregation to the service, he said: “Our past has shaped us and scarred us, it has divided us. And, yet, it has also on occasion brought us together.

“As we lament our failures, sorrows and pain, and recognise our wounded yet living history, may we with a united voice commit ourselves to work together for the common good, in mutual respect and with shared hope for a light-filled, prosperous and peaceful future.”

Northern Ireland centenary
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood attended the service (Liam McBurney/PA)

The leaders of Ireland’s main churches delivered their personal reflections on the creation of Northern Ireland.

Catholic Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin said: “I reflect as a church leader on the last 100 years.

“I have to face the difficult truth that perhaps we in the churches could have done more to deepen our understanding of each other and to bring healing and peace to our divided and wounded communities.”

David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, said: “I grieve the times when fear has held us back from building relationships with those with whom we differ.

Northern Ireland centenary
The Dean of Armagh Shane Forster sent good wishes to the Queen, who was unable to attend the service (Liam McBurney/PA)

“If we are to build a better future, then we must recognise our own woundedness and our responsibility to care for the wounds of one another.”

The Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland, John McDowell, said: “We obsessed about some things, especially borders. One way or another, we’re obsessing about them again, and being distracted from really thinking about what a good society would look like.

“But I am hopeful. Hopeful in a new generation who know that the big problems we’ve landed them with, especially climate change and economic inequality, can only be tackled together.

“I think there are already signs that the next generation will see the things that we obsessed about as secondary and place their priorities elsewhere.”

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop John McDowell and Rev David Bruce will all attend
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop John McDowell and the Rev David Bruce attended (PA)

The prayer service was organised by the four main churches to mark the formation of Northern Ireland and the partition of Ireland in 1921.

Church leaders expressed their sadness after learning the Queen would not be attending.

“We are very sorry to learn that it will not be possible for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be present for the Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh tomorrow,” they said in a statement.