Irish missionaries and development agencies have been involved, and there has been funding from the Irish Government and Irish people who have donated to the project. It involves planting 8000km of trees across 20 countries in Africa to combat desertification.

“I think this project could especially catch the imagination of the young people of Ireland, in their youth groups, schools, colleges and workplaces,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin.

“Celebrations must be beautiful, not worldly, because worldliness depends on the god of money, which is idolatry.”