|TOP|A group of evangelicals have called for justice and forgiveness in the week following the declaration of a ceasefire by Basque separatist group Eta.

With an Opina poll released by the private Cadena Ser radio station revealing that 68 per cent consider the ceasefire “good news for Spanish society”, hopes are high for a permanent end to four decades of violence.

The Evangelical Alliance of Spain, released a statement following the ceasefire, in which urged justice and forgiveness to ensure permanent peace is finally achieved through the ceasefire, reports Ecumenical News International.

"As Christians, we know about the great regenerating power of forgiveness, which is perfectible compatible with justice, although totally contrary to revenge," said the AEE.

|QUOTE|“The Evangelical Council of Madrid said the time had come for Spanish evangelicals to speak out in theological language that may pave the way towards peace, even at the risk of being called ‘naïve’.”

The Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (Ferede) expressed its hope in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero that the ceasefire would lead to a permanent end to the violence.

The first permanent ceasefire called by Eta came into effect on Thursday at midnight local time with public opinion overwhelmingly in support of further negotiations with Eta.

The latest ceasefire follows two previous Eta ceasefires that collapsed within months, with many predicting that there remains a long and difficult process to full peace.

"The unity of rulers and political representatives, society's collaboration, patient work, open mindedness and hope that sustains the journey are good guarantees to reach the goal of full peace," said Bishop Ricardo Blazquez of Bilbao, the president of the Spanish (Catholic) Bishops' Conference earlier in the week.

Eta said in a statement released in Basque newspaper Gara last Thursday: "It is time to make important decisions, moving from words to deeds."