The Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Robin Eames has called for "a community-wide and determined effort" to tackle sectarianism and racial attacks.
In his Christmas message, Dr Eames says: "The birth of Christ speaks of a love for all of human-kind, irrespective of class, creed or colour. Sectarianism, because of religion or political identity, has no place in the stable of Bethlehem. We have got to move away from words, attitudes or actions which judge a person because of their creed or colour. The only identity which should matter in Northern Ireland as we greet a new year is the worth of a person made in the image of God."
This Christmas, he said, the people of Ireland had much to be thankful for, "but much to ponder. On the one side there is wealth and prosperity - on the other need and deprivation".
He continued: "We have long been regarded as a compassionate and caring people and the ways we have responded to appeals for the needy of the world speak loudly of a generous spirit. But the casualties of our society cry out for justice and help. The homeless, the unwanted, those who are prisoners of long-term poverty and those who continue to live with the burden of believing that the suffering of the past has not been addressed or recognised as society moves on."
Referring to the North, he said that politically it had "come so far and yet has stopped short of what so many had hoped for. That hope must take us all into 2005 and we pray for courage by all involved to take those final steps to bring stable, open and democratic government to the province.
"We must never, never slip back into the darkness of the past and political structures which will provide stable government for all the people of Northern Ireland must surely be within our grasp in 2005. Let the hopes be for shared responsibilities more than merely shared power," he said. He also called for greater protection for older people, "our most vulnerable members".
The Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Right Rev Ken Good, in his Christmas message said: "In this corner of the world, dare we believe that we are closer than we have been for many years to a time not just of genuine peace but also of more widespread goodwill? I am daring to believe that we are and I am detecting that many others are daring to believe it too."
The politicians deserved thanks for the measure of agreement they had worked hard to produce, he said, adding that "yet there is so much more that needs to be done - in healing hurts, supporting victims, re-establishing trust, forgiving others and loving our neighbours. Those who celebrate the coming of Jesus and who claim to live by his words and example must take particular care to demonstrate that allegiance", he said.
