Madam, - It was good to read in your edition of January 2nd of President McAleese's comments following what you, in common with RTÉ, described as a World Peace Day Mass.
The observance of all days when the focus is on peace is most desirable and laudable. I understand that Pope John Paul II defined January 1st, 2000, being the first day of a new millennium, as a special day to focus on world peace, and that this date has been maintained by the Roman Catholic Church as its annual World Peace Day. In 2001, by resolution 55/282, the United Nations designated September 21st as World Peace Day.
The idea would have more impact if all organisations, including the Roman Catholic Church and the United Nations, could observe a single World Peace Day each year. - Yours, etc,
TERRY GILLESPIE, The Glebe, Stradbally, Co Laois.