We must not presume to live without God, pope says

Pope Benedict XVI and senior Irish clergymen have used their Christmas homilies to call for the elimination of "crass inequalities" and the establishment of new forms of solidarity, particularly with victims of crime.

In his Urbi et Orbi address, "To the City and the World," the pope said in an age of unbridled consumerism it was shameful many remained deaf to the "heart-rending cry" of those dying of hunger, thirst, disease, poverty, war and terrorism.

Mankind "should not presume it can live without God", he said, in the address which was broadcast live from St Peter's Square in Rome, to 40 countries.

He appealed for peace and justice in the Middle East, an end to the brutal violence in Iraq and to the fratricidal conflict in Darfur and other parts of Africa, and he expressed his hope for "a democratic Lebanon".

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and his Church of Ireland counterpart, Dr John Neill, also called for remembrance of those who, as Dr Martin put it, do not enjoy "social peace".

In his homily delivered at the Christmas Vigil Mass in Dublin's Pro Cathedral, Dr Martin said: "We pray for the victims of violence in all its forms: in war zones, within the walls of their own homes or in the midst of our streets.

"We remember the children who have suffered violence and abuse."

He said "social peace" required "that crass inequalities be eliminated and that new forms of solidarity be constructed".

"Social peace presupposes an ability to dialogue, to be firm in one's principles without becoming intolerant or disrespectful of the other. A culture which attempts to impose its views and interests through force or violence undermines the rule of law and is a threat to democracy."

During his Christmas message Dr Neill said: "As we celebrate this season of joy, our thoughts turn to those who have suffered through the criminal violence that is now becoming so commonplace in our own society".

Referring to recent controversy over drug-related crime and gangland murders, he added: "At the very edges of Irish society now are not only those who choose a way of life that isolates them, but also those unwittingly drawn into lives dominated by addictions that continually pull them further down."

Dr Neill recalled that amid emotional scenes at the funeral of an innocent victim Anthony Campbell, family members had called on the legislators and judiciary to do their duty.

Dr Neill also said people must consider the homeless. "Here in the city centre, we are aware of the homeless and also those far from home and loved ones, who have come to our shores seeking asylum, or simply an escape from poverty.

"There are no instant solutions to any of their problems, but we have to begin from the fact that these are each individuals made in the image of God, and for whom Jesus Christ came into the world."

In a similar vein, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the Right Rev Paul Colton, said Irish society was searching for a new "spiritual equilibrium".

In a Christmas sermon preached in St Fin Barre's cathedral, Cork, Dr Colton said there was a "spiritual homelessness" and a restlessness in Ireland today.

Yet, he said, "our society is searching for a new spiritual equilibrium . . . which will not be assisted on the one hand, by a naive demonisation of popular culture or, on the other hand, by an equally naive call to retreat to the religiosity of a bygone era."

Dr Colton added: "Today there is a restlessness about so much of our living, some of it inevitable and more of it the product of our times.

"Many people are increasingly dislocated from the things of faith; their spiritual home."