Published Thursday, 08 September 2011
Doctor Latimer was invited to address the party's Ard Fheis by Martin McGuinness, whom he describes as a friend.
He says his congregation at First Derry Presbyterian Church support the move, and that it is an opportunity for healing, not a cause for alarm.
"I think people imagine I'm diluting my Britishness, or my Protestantism or my unionism," the minister told UTV.
I will go into the Ard Fheis where there will be nationalists, Catholics and republicans and I will go as a Presbyterian, a Protestant and a unionist.
David Latimer
"And afterwards the people I'm speaking to will emerge with their own identities and I will emerge with my own identity.
"And it is respect for both of our identities that I think is the foundation that we have to start moving towards, so that we can build up some respect for each other in spite of our differences."
DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell is unhappy - he says it is not the first time that David Latimer has been on the same page as Sinn Féin and claims the minister is being used.
"I think the Reverend Latimer was speaking from the Sinn Féin script whenever he opposed the homecoming for the troops that he's the chaplain of," Mr Campbell said.
"He was speaking from the Sinn Féin script on the Bloody Sunday report, and again when he was discussing issues with the republican dissidents.
"It's little surprise that he's gone a step further and actually speaking to Sinn Féin's conference."
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney called David Latimer a man of "the highest integrity" and rubbished the notion that he is being used.
"I think anyone who knows Dr Latimer and has listened to him over the last number of years providing leadership in the city knows he's not someone who'll do something unless he feels it is the right thing to do," Mr McCartney said.
"The idea that he is being used undermines the integrity of the man - and the man is of the highest integrity."
Dr Latimer concedes that some within his community are opposed to his decision, but says they are a minority.
He says he has mostly received messages of support encouraging him to reach out to nationalists and republicans.
The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis is due to take place in Belfast on Friday.