The Taoiseach has "wholeheartedly" welcomed the Pope's World Day of Peace message and its stress on the link between justice and peace. "History is sadly littered with examples of situations where the denial of justice and human rights sowed the seeds of conflict and violence," Mr Ahern said.
"I am pleased, therefore, that Pope John Paul II has availed of the opportunity . . . to affirm the universality and indivisibility of human rights . . . I strongly endorse these sentiments as, I believe, do all the people of Ireland."
Mr Ahern said that "the emphasis laid by the Pope on the belief that building peace through justice is a task for one and all has particular resonance for us . . . These words will be uppermost in our minds as we jointly build a lasting peace in the coming year."
In a homily delivered at St Malachy's Church, Armagh, Archbishop Sean Brady said the celebration of World Day of Peace this year took place in "a climate of somewhat greater hope than in other years".
"The restoration of the IRA ceasefire last July and the participation of parties representing more than 80 per cent of the population in peace talks gives hope of progress. There is a growing realisation of the futility of a conflict which has lasted almost 30 years.
"The terrible events of recent days are sombre reminders that there really is no alternative to discussion and dialogue."
Archbishop Brady said that "those who try to increase people's fears at this time bear a heavy responsibility".
"There are some people who feel that the recognition of the rights of others in some way infringes their rights . . . The human rights agenda is not a sectarian agenda. In fact their recognition is the bulwark and defence of true peace everywhere."
On refugees, Archbishop Brady remarked: "We are now part of a union of 15 European states in which there is a free movement of people by right. This process is irreversible . . . We can choose to turn in on ourselves and turn our back on the stranger and in doing so . . . turn our back on our Christian faith . . . we could decide to share some of [our] wealth, resources and opportunities with foreigners, as so many societies in the past did for our people. By doing that we could set an outstanding example."
In his New Year Message, the Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Sam Hutchinson, called for "a new and conciliatory note in political debate" in Northern Ireland.
"Politics may be an essentially adversarial business, but at this crucial stage in our history, it would help if public pronouncements by responsible leaders were as constructive and statesmanlike as possible." The voice of moderation of ordinary people of goodwill, he said, "should be heard loud and clear". He called for a "total and permanent" ceasefire by all paramilitary groups.
Cardinal Cahal Daly told the congregation at Corpus Christi Church in Drumcondra that Ireland could make a significant contribution in tackling the lack of political commitment in the international community to eradicating poverty.
However, Ireland's moral influence was "weakened by the continuing conflict in Northern Ireland" and would be greatly enhanced by increased evidence of commitment to the elimination of poverty at home.
