Archbishop prays for Middle East peace in first Easter sermon
Archbishop prays for Middle East peace in first Easter sermon
The first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, delivered her inaugural Easter message with a focus on peace in the Middle East, urging an end to “violence and destruction” amid escalating tensions. Her address at Canterbury Cathedral came as the US-Israel conflict against Iran entered its sixth week, with thousands reportedly losing their lives in the ongoing hostilities.
During the sermon, she emphasized the importance of collective hope and resilience, drawing on the resurrection of Jesus as a symbol of renewal. “This week, our thoughts and prayers have turned to the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead,” she said. “Today, as we celebrate His victory over death, let us call with urgent resolve for an end to the strife and suffering in the Middle East and the Gulf.”
“May our Christian sisters and brothers know and embrace the hope of the empty tomb—may all people in this region find the peace, justice, and freedom they deeply desire,” she added.
The conflict, which began on 28 February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has triggered a chain reaction. Iran retaliated by launching attacks on Israeli and Gulf allies, while Israel expanded its campaign into Lebanon after Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group, targeted northern Israel with rockets.
Reflecting on her role, Dame Sarah highlighted her personal journey, noting that her teenage self could “never have imagined the future that lay ahead.” She also acknowledged the challenges of leading a global Church facing divisions over topics like sexuality and female leadership, with traditionalists still opposing women as priests.
Her installation as archbishop in late March was marked by a poignant reminder of the impact of war, as some Church members missed the event due to the conflict. She praised caregivers and those in hospitals, stating, “This vigil of care is the work of remaining—of staying present in the quiet and the dark.”
Meanwhile, other leaders offered their Easter reflections. Richard Moth, newly appointed Archbishop of Westminster, addressed the Catholic community, saying: “In our present times, the world is often confusing and conflicted, shaped by shifting demands and attractions. Humanity is marked by warfare and injustice, often fueled by greed and misused power.”
“The most vulnerable suffer most from these conflicts, and countless lives are lost,” he remarked.
Pope Leo, in his Urbi et Orbi blessing, called for peace among those with the power to start wars. Addressing crowds in St Peter’s Square, he urged, “Humanity cannot remain indifferent to wars and the deaths they bring.”
