The Catholic bishops have issued a pastoral letter to mark the beginning, next Sunday, of a three year period of preparation for 2000, the second millennium of the birth of Christ.
The letter, signed by the four archbishops on behalf of the hierarchy, anticipates "a great outburst of excitement, activity, events and projects to welcome the new millennium".
Most of these will have little or nothing to do with Christ, the letter says, but Christians must "remember and insist that the millennium belongs to Jesus Christ". The letter urges a rediscovery of the traits of traditional Irish spirituality which are relevant to the modern world.