The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged for prayers to put an ‘end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf’ during her initial statement.Easter Day sermon.
Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally gave her initial Easter message at Canterbury Cathedral since she took overJustin Welbyin the role, urging ‘with increased urgency’ for peace.
She mentioned that “violence, division, and insecurity” are impacting the lives of “billions of people across the globe” and that “many feel their hearts are broken.”
Lady Sarah, who previously served as the chief nursing officer for England, was officially appointed as the 106th Archbishop just under two weeks ago, during which she mentioned that her teenage self could ‘never have envisioned the future that awaited her’.
On Sunday, she advocated for peace in the Middle East, stating, “May all individuals in the region be granted the peace, justice, and freedom they desire.”
She addressed the assembly: “We are aware that violence, discord, and uncertainty are impacting the lives of billions across the globe. Many experience a sense of brokenness within. The lost, the injured, the displaced.
This week, our attention and prayers have been directed toward the place where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
Now, as we celebrate with happiness that Christ has risen, let us pray and urgently request an end to the violence and devastation in the Middle East and the Gulf.
May our Christian sisters and brothers recognize and honor the hope symbolized by the empty tomb – and may every individual in the area experience the peace, justice, and liberty they desire.
The United States and Israel initiated hostilities against Iran on February 28, carrying out attacks that resulted in the death of the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded by attacking Israel and countries aligned with the US in the Gulf.
Dame Sarah has previously expressed her desire for the ‘life-altering hope’ of Jesus Christ to reach individuals trapped in conflict and facing severe poverty—especially those ‘at the forefront of the escalating climate crisis’.
In her initial speech as Archbishop-elect in October, she stated: ‘For our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters, as well as all the people in the Middle East. For the people of Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. May God put an end to the tragedies of war, offer solace to those who are grieving, and provide hope to those enduring despair.’
Pope Leo XIV also gave his Easter message, the Urbi et Orbi, on Sunday in Rome.
The pontiff seemed to be aimed at US President Donald Trumpas he stated: “Let those with weapons set them aside.”
He mentioned that the world was “becoming used to violence, accepting it and growing indifferent” and called on “those who have the power to start wars” to “opt for peace.”
The 70-year-old Pope did not mention a particular war but described the conflict as ‘atrocious’ on Palm Sunday last week.
Also on Easter Sunday, one of the most traditional bishops in Americareferred to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s mentions of Jesus as a basis for the war as ‘controversial’.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who was named by Pope Benedict XVI, stated in a CBS interview that the United States’ attacks on Iran did not align with Saint Augustine’s principles of just war.
The concept states that warfare is only ethically justified when addressing wrongdoing or protecting the vulnerable, and it must always seek to restore peace rather than pursue vengeance or territorial gain.
Archbishop Broglio stated that the administration’s reasoning was based on the danger posed by nuclear weapons — a capability Iran does not have.
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