The Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor is the latest prominent church figure to comment on the unrest in Northern Ireland.
In his Christmas message, Dr Noel Treanor described the ongoing civil unrest over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall as one of the "lows" of 2012 and said old ghosts had returned to haunt the people of the diocese.
In his Christmas message, Dr Treanor, is not specific about who is responsible for the ongoing civil unrest.
He states that old ghosts, untamed and myopic tribal forces, have returned to haunt the people of the diocese on their streets and to menace their future.
He also notes that this is happening despite the common Christian heritage and faith of most people in the diocese.