Two archbishops have called for a task force to tackle a huge pollution crisis in Ireland's biggest inland waterway.
Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell and his Catholic counterpart Eamon Martin said there needed to be a focus on the "environmental disaster" in Lough Neagh.
The water is heavily polluted with a toxic algae which poses a danger to animals and human health.
It provides 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water, though NI Water has insisted its treatments render the supply safe.
"We are facing an environmental disaster and, as church leaders, we worry that the issue is not being given the priority it deserves. Before Lough Neagh approaches the point of no return, a collective examination of the causes and development of a robust plan to save this unique and ancient ecosystem is needed," the two clerics said in a joint statement.
A combination of agricultural run-off, sewage, weather conditions and climate change and an invasive species of mussel have been blamed for the large blooms affecting the lough.
"Each one of us is called to be a custodian and a steward of creation, we all share a collective responsibility to safeguard the beauty and wellbeing of our natural surroundings and must maintain and preserve the Lough for future generations to enjoy. We cannot take it for granted."
They said their concern was that the response to the blooms of toxic algae in the lough was too slow and bound up in bureaucracy. They called for decisive leadership to identify the causes and devise a plan to arrest the decline.
They've urged the creation of a task force of experts to produce a plan quickly.
Meanwhile the SDLP has called for Stormont to be recalled to discuss the pollution crisis.
That would require the support of 30 MLAs.
It wants a short term mitigation plan alongside a long-term recovery strategy.
"We are urging all political parties to agree to recall the institutions to address the crisis and to show people that we can work together to meet the needs of our people and our planet," said SDLP Assembly leader Matthew O'Toole.
