Archbishop of Canterbury Uses First Easter Sermon to Demand Middle East Peace

New Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally Calls for End to Middle East Violence in Historic First Easter Sermon

Dame Sarah Mullally, the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury, used her inaugural Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday to issue an urgent plea for peace in the Middle East.

The Archbishop addressed the congregation during the Easter Sung Eucharist, calling "with renewed urgency" for an end to the escalating conflict in the region. The war launched by the US and Israel against Iran in late February has now entered its sixth week, resulting in thousands of deaths and triggering global consequences including soaring fuel prices due to a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

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.

Dame Sarah Mullally told the Canterbury Cathedral congregation.

The Archbishop continued by praying that "all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for," with particular concern for Christian communities living in the conflict zone.

Beyond the geopolitical crisis, Mullally also addressed those facing personal struggles. She spoke directly to people battling illness, bereavement, and unemployment.

Perhaps you are here today standing in your own version of the dark, perhaps with your own heart shattered. I pray you know that God walks with you through that darkness.

A former chief nurse in England, the Archbishop paid tribute to caregivers across the nation, noting that "last night, in hospitals around the country, nurses tended to those who struggled to sleep. In hospices, carers and loved ones will have held someone's hand, letting them know they are not alone."

Dame Sarah was formally enthroned as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales last month. She now serves as the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Mullally's Easter Message Demands Peace as Middle East Conflict Enters Sixth Week

The sermon marked a significant moment for the Anglican Communion as its new leader used Christianity's most important celebration to take a clear stance on one of the world's most pressing crises. With thousands already dead and fuel prices rising worldwide, the Archbishop's words carried weight beyond the walls of Canterbury Cathedral.

The Easter service was broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, amplifying the message of peace to millions across the United Kingdom and beyond.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what leadership looks like. While politicians dither and diplomats draft statements nobody reads, the Archbishop of Canterbury stood in one of Christendom's most sacred places on its holiest day and said what needed to be said: stop the killing. Our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East are caught in the crossfire of a war they did not start and cannot escape. The ancient Christian communities of the region, some dating back to the apostles themselves, face extinction while the world watches. We need more voices like this from our pulpits. Not polite suggestions. Not vague hopes. Urgent, uncompromising calls for peace and protection of the innocent.

Take Action

• Pray specifically for Christian communities in the Middle East, including believers in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon who face displacement and persecution during this conflict.
• Support persecuted Christians through Open Doors UK, which provides direct aid to believers in the most dangerous regions of the world.
• Donate to www.TheShepherdsShield.org to support Christian advocacy and protection efforts worldwide.
• Contact your MP or elected representative and urge them to prioritize the protection of religious minorities in any ceasefire negotiations. Find your MP at UK Parliament website.
• Share this story with your church community and encourage your pastor to address the persecution of Middle Eastern Christians from the pulpit this Sunday.