The Church of Ireland and Catholic Bishops of Clogher have issued a joint message for Christmas.
Using the 19th century "It came upon a midnight clear" hymn as a theme, the bishops said it has a "timely message for us amidst the conflicts in Israel and Gaza and Ukraine.
One of the lyrics in the hymn refers to 'angels bending near the earth' and Bishops Ian Ellis and Larry Duffy said, in a time of climate emergency, this line calls on us to live more harmoniously with the earth.
The statement goes on to say: "As we move into an unknown, uncertain, and unpredictable new year, peace is the gift that we most need."
This Christmas, the local bishops tell us that "Despite what we see happening in the world -war in the land of the Holy One, suffering of the
innocent, cruelty, and abuse of creation, we believe that God offers afresh his gift of peace."
"God's peace brings the hope of a renewed relationship with him, restored relationships with others and a transformed relationship with the created world," the joint statement ends.
