Archbishop Eamon Martin: let us resolve to be signs of peace for each other during 2026

Archbishop Eamon Martin. Image CCO

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has encouraged people to be signs of peace for each other, and for the world, during 2026. Speaking at Mass in Armagh to welcome in the New Year, Archbishop Martin echoed the words of Pope Leo XIV who, in his 1 January message for the 59th World Day of Peace, calls for a peace that is "unarmed and disarming."

Archbishop Martin observed the custom of offering each other a sign of peace which occurs just before Holy Communion at Mass, normally in the form of a handshake, bow or other gesture. The Primate said, "The Church understands this action as an expression of deep commitment to bringing to life the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By sharing His words, 'Peace be with you', with the persons beside us, we are undertaking to spread the peace of Christ in our daily lives - by our thoughts, words and deeds and in our many interactions with others - at home, in the work place, at school, and in social encounters. I urge you to consider making a New Year's resolution to be a sign of peace wherever you go this year."

Taking his cue from Pope Leo's message, Archbishop Martin expressed concern that social media may be influencing people to come to conversations and relationships as if 'armed for battle'. He said, "I am saddened when I see people of faith online who seem 'armed to the teeth', and who persist in "othering" and accentuating difference. It is particularly disappointing when you see this from Christians online who label and dismiss others because of their race, religion or some other perceived difference. This is not of God."

Archbishop Martin highlighted this point in Pope Leo's message where the Holy Father writes, "Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common to drag the language of faith into political battles, to bless nationalism, and to justify violence and armed struggle in the name of religion. Believers must actively refute, above all by the witness of their lives, these forms of blasphemy that profane the holy name of God."

Archbishop Martin said, "Pope Leo prefers a disarmed peace which is not about 'weaponising thoughts and words', but about healing, showing mercy and forgiveness, reconciling and bridge-building. This is the peace which Jesus meant when He said to His friends, 'Peace I leave you; my own peace I give you; a peace the world cannot give - that is my gift to you.'"

Archbishop Martin emphasised that, "This is one of the ways that religions in general, and Christianity in particular, can continue to play a vital role in the public square - by witnessing and being signs of peace, by holding humanity and the world back from the brink of self-destruction, endless conflict, violent displacement of peoples and death.

"Like Pope Leo, I am hopeful that even amid what the late Pope Francis called 'a Third World War fought piecemeal', peacemakers can continue to resist the spread of darkness, standing as sentinels in the night.

"They do this by fostering the 'disarmed and disarming' peace of Christ which is the answer to the evils that stalk our world. Such peace is achievable. We must reject the spread of despair, the massive investment in rearmament, and those who would talk up threats and the 'inevitability' of war. We do not give up on peace."

Archbishop Martin concluded, "My brothers and sisters, as the New Year 2026 begins, the challenge to speak and live the message of peace remains more important than ever. My wish on this World Day of Peace is that Christians everywhere, who regularly exchange the Sign of the Peace of Christ, will be active ambassadors for peace in the Church and in the world, beginning in their own homes, families, workplaces and neighbourhoods. In this way the Sign of Peace will avoid becoming an empty or meaningless gesture, but will rather be an impulse and driver towards reconciliation and peace building."