"Christ is Risen!" is the cry of the Church this Easter weekend and I am delighted to have this opportunity with other brother and sister Christian leaders to greet you in this traditional Easter way and to wish you and yours a Happy Easter.

It is reported that when the first disciples heard that Easter news on that first Easter morning two thousand years ago they were confused but excited. However, very soon, a small defeated community of despondent followers of the Jesus who was humiliated and executed became a confident and potent movement for change and leadership announcing his practical message of love, hope and forgiveness.

The challenge to us today in Cork and in Ireland is to bring this Easter message of love and hope in practical ways and in partnership with other churches and voluntary groups in society to those who, in spite of the good times we are experiencing, feel unloved and who have lost hope.

That, after all, is the way of the Risen Christ who emptied himself and took the form of a servant.

May the hope and love of the Risen Christ be yours this Easter.