The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev John Neill, has said that "Ireland of the Welcomes" must "take a deep breath".
In his Christmas message he has asked "does the welcome extended really reach beyond those well-heeled returning emigrants and the traditional big-spending tourists from the western world? What about those who come to our shores with little or nothing?
"There is a price to be paid in being a welcoming and multi-cultural society. We have to be willing to learn about the way others live and think.
"We have to go out of our way to understand that many coming to Ireland today have been traumatised, whether by violence, political oppression or poverty. Unless bridges of understanding are built, then the result will be ghettos defined by fear and violence."
He also said that "the people and the causes that stir our hearts at Christmas don't all disappear from the scene at the end of the month.
"Most people are that bit more friendly and feeling quite generous if they can afford to be! All this is good. But what then?"
In a joint Christmas message both bishops of Cork, Dr John Buckley and Right Rev Paul Colton, said "our city eagerly awaits the beginning of Cork's significant year as European Capital of Culture for 2005. But before we launch into 2005, our hearts and minds, our festivities and our lives turn to Christmas - our celebration of the birth of Our Saviour.
"The Christmas story with its memorable and engaging ingredients has shaped our culture for 2,000 years. The shepherds and angels, the census in Bethlehem, the jealous politicians, an anxious father and a young vulnerable mother, and an extraordinary baby born into poverty - have caught the imagination of humankind," they said.
In their Christmas message, the Bishops of Kilmore, Right Rev Ken Clarke and Dr Leo O'Reilly, noted that "2004 is nearly over. What a year it has been! Many of us hoped and prayed for a deal in Northern Ireland and the cementing of a stable agreement between the various political parties. We are so near yet still so far away . . . but not as far as this time last year!
"We trust the next few months will see further progress," they said.
In his Christmas message, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore, Right Rev Harold Miller, asked "isn't it odd how one word in a vocabulary can take centre-stage at a particular time in our history? December 2004 has definitely been the month of 'humiliation'".
He said the Christmas story was a reminder of the difference between "humbled" and "humiliated".
"Humiliation' is something done to a person - it feels dehumanizing; we have no control over it, and it appears to give a sinister and perverse joy to those who inflict it. 'Humbling' is different . . . for those who have done wrong on all sides it will mean admitting it and saying 'sorry'."
