An Easter Message of Peace and Unity Amid Global Turmoil
(Photo: Lambeth Palace)
On Easter Day, Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered a powerful sermon urging for peace in the Middle East. She highlighted the widespread impact of “violence, division and insecurity” that leaves many feeling deeply troubled.
Reflecting on the significance of Easter, she called attention to those suffering, stating, “The bereft, the wounded, the refugee. This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.”
As people celebrate the resurrection of Christ, Mullally emphasized the need for urgent prayers and actions to halt the violence and destruction in the Middle East and Gulf regions. “May our Christian sisters and brothers know and celebrate the hope of the empty tomb – and may all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for,” she declared.
Drawing a parallel between the darkness before the Resurrection and current global challenges, she emphasized that “God’s most essential work of resurrection happens in the depths of the earth, while the world is silent and still dark.”
Mullally encouraged embracing darkness as a time for spiritual growth, stating, “It sometimes feels like society conditions us to be impatient with the dark… Yet, for me darkness is also a place for the movement of the Spirit, knowing Jesus is with me.”
Meanwhile, in his Easter Urbi et Orbi, Pope Leo urged world leaders to prioritize dialogue over domination. Announcing a prayer vigil on April 11 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, he implored, “Let those who have weapons lay them down,” warning of a growing global indifference to violence.
Addressing tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square, he stressed, “We cannot continue to be indifferent… We cannot resign ourselves to evil!”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also shared an Easter message, praising churches for their community support. He noted the challenging times marked by international conflicts and domestic pressures, offering reassurance through faith: “In moments like these, faith offers reassurance and grounding – a reminder that we are not alone, and that hope can still take root even in difficult soil.”
Starmer, an atheist, reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborating with churches to foster stronger, more resilient communities. “Our country is at its best when we choose community over division, kindness over indifference, and service over self-interest,” he said, extending Easter wishes for peace and hope to Christians worldwide.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
