The Bishop of Limerick has used his annual Easter message to issue a poignant call for the people of Limerick to build "pockets of peace" in response to an increasingly "coarse" and violent world.
Bishop Brendan Leahy highlighted the staggering global spend on warfare, noting that sixty conflicts are currently active across the globe, contributing to a growing sense of anxiety both at home and abroad.
Bishop Leahy cited a sobering statistic during the interview, pointing out that global military expenditure reached a record €2.5 trillion last year.
He noted that the World Food Programme has suggested a single year of that military spend could fund global efforts to end hunger for 65 years.
The Bishop remarked that while it is easy to feel "numb" or "powerless" in the face of such massive figures, the public must continue to speak out against the "escalation" of violence.
"We do need to shout out," Bishop Leahy said. "We do need to keep the voice going because that's the risk - we just surrender. We do nothing. We say nothing."
Closer to home, the Bishop expressed concern over an "increasing tension" in local communities, citing rising instances of domestic abuse, relationship breakdowns, and general violence.
However, he pointed to the unique "energy" within Limerick city and county as a primary source of hope.
He specifically praised local sports clubs and the arts for their ability to bridge social divides and create common projects for the public good, mentioning the recent Person of the Year award for the Dolans as a testament to the power of the arts in the city.
"We are a great city of sport and that brings people together across the various social classes in Limerick," the Bishop noted. "It gives us a kind of a lift up together where we can have a common project. We also have to tackle the black spots and disparities that exist in our city, and through working together, we can do it."
Reflecting on the religious significance of the season, Bishop Leahy observed a "slight" increase in the number of young people returning to Mass.
He suggested that many are seeking silence and a sense of collective purpose in an uncertain time. He referenced a moving passage from a Sally Rooney novel to describe the power of a congregation "lifting up their hearts" together, suggesting that the church provides a rare space for shared humanity and reflection.
"I think people are beginning to look at that again," he said. "The simple thing of going to a church building, finding the silence, the peace, and the recollection of even just spending a little bit of time quietly in prayer - that already helps a lot of people."
The Bishop spends his Easter Sunday morning visiting both the men’s and women’s sections of Limerick Prison to celebrate Mass with the inmates before travelling to Kerry to visit his sisters.
"We need to check out our own local relationships," Bishop Leahy concluded. "Are we people of peace? Are we promoting peace? We can build up pockets of peace wherever we are, but we can't do it on our own. We’ve got to do it with others."