THE absence of fathers is the biggest family and social problem in our society, according to Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey.

Delivering his pre-Christmas message on Friday, Archbishop Hickey said the absence of dads was a bigger problem than drugs.

“If Father Christmas was offering me gifts, I would ask for peace in every family and a father at the heart of every family,” he said.

“The absence of fathers is the biggest family and social problem we face today. It is the biggest cause of lifelong difficulties for fathers, mothers and, most of all, for children.

“The absence of fathers is bigger than anger, aggression, alcohol, drugs, crime and under-achievement by children because it is the biggest single contributor to all of them.