St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh
Christmas morning 2000

"Apart from the hopes for political progress in Northern Ireland there is one vital challenge facing this community this Christmas morning.

We must re-discover a new recognition of the importance of the individual and a reverence for life. Life has become far too cheap in the Province. The culture of violence which we see day and night presents a threat to young and old. In too many areas violence towards people has become a way of life. Bullying, intimidation, armed robbery the mafia-style outlook in which decent people feel fear even in their own homes, the so-called 'punishment beatings' - all are examples of how cheap life has become.

Our society is in real danger of coming to accept such happenings as an inevitable 'norm'. There is new talk of an 'acceptable level of violence'. The thirty years of terrorism has given way to a new culture of 'respectable violence'. Too many instances of violence seem to be immune from detection or prosecution. People talk to me of being afraid to tell of what they know or what they have seen. They are afraid of the consequences of 'speaking up'.

This is a situation which should and must be challenged. This is a situation which government needs to face up to with realism and determination. Political progress is essential - but political progress can never be a substitute for the exercise of basic law and order on our streets and in our homes. Political progress can never be an excuse for tolerating the law of the bully boys. Fear can never be a basis for building a just society.

The Christian message of Christmas proclaims respect for life. Each of us has been created in the image of God. Each of us has the right to life. If we are to look forward to a really peaceful and just community the crux of our dealing with each other must be respect for that right. It must also be protection for the right to life. Somehow fear must be removed so that those who are intent on destroying or injuring lives will know they will inevitably pay the price of detection and conviction.

This community must see the culture of fear and violence replaced by the culture of decency, respect, and a common recognition of the value of the individual under God."