Archbishop of Canterbury Delivers First Easter Sermon with Peace Plea
In her inaugural Easter Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, issued a heartfelt call for prayers to bring an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf. The Most Reverend Dame Sarah, who succeeded Justin Welby as the 106th Archbishop just under two weeks ago, delivered her message with renewed urgency, emphasising the global impact of conflict.
Global Division and Insecurity Highlighted
During the service, Dame Sarah spoke passionately about how violence, division, and insecurity are affecting the lives of billions of people worldwide. She poignantly noted that many individuals feel as though their heart is in pieces, referencing the bereft, wounded, and refugees caught in turmoil. Her background as a former chief nursing officer for England adds a unique perspective to her spiritual leadership, as she reflected that her teenage self could never have imagined this future.
The Archbishop directed the congregation's attention to the Middle East, stating, This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. She urged worshippers to pray for an end to the violence, adding, May all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.
Context of Conflict and International Responses
The call for peace comes amid escalating tensions, notably following strikes by the US and Israel on February 28 that resulted in the death of Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, exacerbating regional instability. Dame Sarah has previously expressed her longing for the life-changing hope of Jesus Christ to reach those affected by war, extreme poverty, and the climate crisis.
In her first address as Archbishop-designate in October, she extended prayers to Palestinian Christians, peoples of the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Myanmar, and the DRC, pleading for God to end the horrors of war and bring hope to those in despair.
Parallel Calls from Global Religious Leaders
Pope Leo XIV also delivered his Easter message, the Urbi et Orbi, in Rome, echoing themes of peace. Without naming specific conflicts, the pontiff appeared to critique global leaders, including a possible reference to US President Donald Trump, by urging those who have weapons to lay them down. He warned against growing accustomed to violence and called on those with power to choose peace, describing conflicts as atrocious in a prior Palm Sunday address.
Additionally, on Easter Sunday, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, a conservative bishop appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, criticised US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Jesus to justify the war as problematic. In a CBS interview, Archbishop Broglio argued that the US strikes on Iran did not align with Saint Augustine's just war theory, which permits war only for punishing wrongdoing or defending innocents, with peace as the ultimate aim. He noted that the administration's justification relied on nuclear threats, despite Iran not possessing such weapons.
These collective appeals underscore a unified religious stance against violence, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crises and the urgent need for diplomatic resolutions in conflict zones worldwide.
