Religious and political leaders in the UK are focusing on the conflict in the Middle East in their Easter messages, urging peace and unity. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, will deliver her first Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday, calling for an end to violence in the region.
Mullally is expected to pray for “peace, justice and freedom” for all people in the Middle East, referencing the war launched by the US and Israel on Iran in late February. The conflict has killed thousands and caused soaring fuel prices due to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
In her sermon, Mullally will say: “Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf.” She will also offer comfort to those facing personal struggles, such as illness or unemployment, stating: “God walks with you through that darkness.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also addressed the conflict in his Easter message, acknowledging the “real anxiety” it causes. He praised churches for their community work and called for unity, saying: “Our country is at its best when we choose community over division, kindness over indifference, and service over self-interest.”
