President Catherine Connolly has used her first Christmas message to urge the Irish people to reflect on the values that truly matter and respect each other’s differences.
Her address in both Irish and English also focused on conflict around the world and in particular Palestine, Ukraine and Sudan.
“Christmas invites us to reflect on the values that truly matter; kindness, tolerance, respect for each other’s differences, and to reflect on how we may nurture our shared humanity,” she said in her address.
“We hold in our thoughts the millions of people worldwide who are enduring the devastating impacts of interconnected crises of climate change, war, conflict, and displacement, the many families this Christmas who will sadly experience fear, uncertainty, or profound loss.”
She added: “Our own history, marked by forced emigration and loss, gives us a lived understanding of the brutal realities of dispossession, hunger and war. We think of those who are missing loved ones, those who may be struggling or without a home, those who are ill and those who feel along and lonely.”
The President, who took up office in November, had a special message for Irish people living abroad at Christmas.
“I am particularly mindful of our diaspora at this time of year,” she said. “There is scarcely a family on this island that does not have a story of emigration woven into its history. We are deeply proud of all of you, our achievements, your contributions across the world, and we send our warmest good wishes to you wherever you may be on this Christmas Day.
“We celebrate this Christmas season acutely aware of the challenges facing Ireland and the wider world. Now more than ever we must work together and use our voices to celebrate diversity, to champion sustainable solutions to climate crisis and to advocate for peaceful resolutions to conflict and war.”
