Archbishop’s Easter Message 2022

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney

2022 Easter Message

This Easter, it has become clear in a striking way that this world needs the forgiveness, judgement and healing that lie at the heart of the Cross of Christ. Like me, you have no doubt been horrified by the footage on our screens of Russian tanks ploughing through cities in Ukraine and apartment blocks, even hospitals, being blown apart by war.

We cry out to God for justice and peace and ask - has God forsaken us? God has planted the Cross of Christ in history so that we would know, for all time, that we are not forgotten and we are loved. We remember that on the cross, Jesus was forsaken by God. But this happened so that flawed and frightened people like you and me could be welcomed by God.

As Jesus on the Cross was shut out, our undeserving world was invited in. Jesus’ resurrection is our guarantee that he will not forsake those who seek him.

As one Ukrainian pastor said – if Jesus suffered for us, will he leave us now? No, Jesus is risen! Jesus is with us, here, now and forever.

Kanishka Raffel

Archbishop of Sydney

Easter 2022