NI 'must tackle challenges ahead'

A nativity scene takes pride of place in Swatragh, County Londonderry

Northern Ireland's church leaders have called on the public to help tackle the province's problems to create a new caring society in 2002.

In his Christmas message Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Robin Eames said the "true Christian meaning of Christmas should give us all fresh courage to do what we can to create a new society of caring."

Archbishop Eames: "We must continue the struggle to build a new society"

Dr Eames, who is Archbishop of Armagh, said although Northern Ireland had made steps towards peace and healing in the last year, there was still much work to be done.

He said: "Behind the spending and appearance of prosperity in our province are issues we still have to address on the long road to stability, justice and equality for all: issues of fear, uncertainty, want, need and loss of confidence.

'New society'

"In the New Year, how we regard each other, how we listen to those we disagree with as well as those we feel comfortable with, how we face up to injustice and inequality, how we protect the vulnerable and how we struggle to build a new society of compassion and caring will determine the sort of place this island can become."

The Presbyterian Moderator, Alistair Dunlop, said the Christmas period must be the time when we consider those less fortunate than ourselves.

He said: "The homeless, the displaced, the poor, and so on - I think Christmas is a great opportunity to bring some hope into the lives of people like them," he said.

Alistair Dunlop: "We must consider those who need our help"

"There are many in our society who can't afford to spend scarce resources on gifts and luxuries.

"In other parts of the world, there are many who can't imagine the choice and abundance that we have, so we have practical opportunities at Christmas time to give."

In her annual Christmas message, Irish President Mary McAleese said Northern Ireland's peace process had become a "global example" of success.

In Ireland, we who have known decades of conflict are on the way to becoming a light to the world

Mary McAleese
Irish President

The push "towards permanent peace and real partnership" in Ireland had moved into a "reassuring phase", Mrs McAleese said.

"In Ireland, we who have known decades of conflict are on the way to becoming a light to the world," she said.

She said the remaining obstacles to achieving permanent peace in Northern Ireland must be removed.