Cruel rulers will vanish, says Archbishop

“CRUEL and oppressive” rulers will “vanish”, the Archbishop of Canterbury will say in his Easter sermon, as he urges the public to “not lose heart” in the face of conflict.

This morning the Most Rev Justin Welby will preach that “all that seeks to deny God has no future” and is “doomed to extinction”.

“Injustice and brutality may seem to triumph in our short lives on earth,” he will say. “Cruel and oppressive rulers might look as though they only get stronger; yet they will vanish: the power of the resurrection is infinitely greater than they are.

“Even in our lifetimes, as we are surrounded by fears, even by evil, we know that those who oppress and subjugate others will face divine justice.

“We know with certainty that policies that cause suffering and pain will fall away. We can say surely: all that seeks to deny God has no future – all that shares in the risen life of Jesus is eternal.”

The Archbishop’s sermon will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship at 8:10am, followed by a longer version at the 11am Easter Eucharist.

Reflecting on the war in Ukraine and the situation in Israel and Palestine, the Archbishop is expected to say “we must not lose heart” in the face of conflict because “true peace is no aimless daydream, but a reality offered because Christ was raised from the dead”.

In his own Easter Sunday message, Rishi Sunak said Christian values of “tolerance, compassion and charity” are embedded in British culture.

The Prime Minister, a Hindu, said Easter Sunday was a chance to reflect on the contribution made by Christian communities across the country.

He used his Easter message to say Christianity was part of the “national fabric” and “its values are British values... I would like to wish all those celebrating today a very happy Easter,” he added.