Belfast Lord Mayor Mairtin O Muilleoir yesterday praised the congregation of St Anne's Cathedral.
The Sinn Fein man was speaking after a meeting with Anglican Bishop Alan Abernethy. Mr O Muilleoir pointed to the annual Black Santa charity appeal as "a fantastic example of how the city can unite behind such a positive cause".
He said of St Anne's: "Its doors are open to all the citizens of Belfast, and it is particularly important at these difficult times in the city that religious and civic leaders meet publicly and engage with each other on the basis of mutual respect."