A LEADING bishop last night expressed alarm at the growing levels of violence within Irish society -- and said be abhorred the number of murders committed. The Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, also noted the serious rise in alcohol-related problems within Irish society, and especially under-age alcohol abuse.
Dr Magee made the issue of violence the keynote appeal in his Easter message.
"We must all be seriously concerned with the amount of violence and murder that is being perpetrated on our streets and neighbourhoods at the present time," the Cork bishop declared.
"As this is a time for renewal and freshness of spirit, mirrored in nature all around us, let us do all we can to respect life, in all its stages, endeavour to put an end to the terrible carnage on our roads and, in a responsible way, get control of the increasing abuse of alcohol, especially among the under-aged, and the use of drugs."
Peace
Dr Magee also urged Irish people in his keynote Easter message to "storm Heaven" with prayers that the Holy Land will at last find peace of the kind that has blessed Northern Ireland.
"It is still a land torn by conflict and violence, the very land in which Jesus spoke the words: 'My own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.' Let us this Easter storm heaven with our prayers for the gift of a peaceful settlement in that land hallowed by the footsteps of the Saviour of all mankind," he said.
Dr Magee also urged Irish people in his Easter message to offer a warm welcome to those arriving on our shores.
"May all peoples of diverse cultures and religion find in the Ireland of today a land where they can live in peace, harmony and freedom and where their children can mature, alongside our own Irish children, into being the upright and healthy citizens of the Ireland of tomorrow," he said.
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