The Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops of Clogher have criticised the "slow drift into emptiness" of modern society and warned of a "world of spiritual erosion" where there is "great anxiety about a loss of the sacred.
In a joint Christmas message Catholic bishop Joseph Duffy, and Church of Ireland bishop Michael Jackson, said that modern life may be "relatively painless and comfortable" but ultimately it is "without meaning".
They called for people to become more involved in voluntary work and to be kinder to their neighbours.
The bishops also warned people to take greater care on the roads and encouraged the responsible use of alcohol particularly over the Christmas period.
