Letters to the Editor: Faith can drive our quest for peace in 2026

Ireland’s wellbeing does not rest solely on political institutions. It also rests on civic responsibility and community action — and faith remains a source of strength for this work

Ronan Scully reminds us that legendary US broadcaster Fred Rogers urged people to 'look for the helpers'. Fred Rogers was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2019 film, 'A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood'. File picture

As we enter 2026, it is difficult to ignore how heavy the world feels. War, displacement, division, homelessness, and loneliness fill our headlines and shape daily life. Fear and fatigue have become familiar, and the temptation to disengage is real. But a new year asks something of us, not just as individuals, but as citizens and as people of faith.

Ireland’s wellbeing has never rested solely on policy documents or political institutions, important as they are. It has rested on civic responsibility and community action: People who volunteer, who vote, who speak up locally, who refuse to accept homelessness, exclusion, or racism as inevitable.