Jesus Christ's Resurrection Relevant to All Australians, Sydney Archbishop Says in Easter Message

West Australian
April 18, 2014

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/22729154/jesus-christs-resurrection-relevant-to-all-australians-sydney-archbishop-says-in-easter-message/

The leader of Australia's largest Anglican Diocese said the resurrection of Jesus Christ was relevant to all Australians.

In his Easter message on Friday, Sydney Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies said the theme could be found in popular culture, including references to sporting and political "comebacks".

He gave the example of former prime minister John Howard's description of himself as "Lazarus with a triple bypass".

"Even a triple bypass would not have saved Lazarus from dying yet again - only Jesus can perform the heart operation that brings eternal life, for only he has conquered death on the cross," he said.

Meanwhile, a western Sydney Bishop said the Catholic Church has been shamed by the ongoing Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Bishop of Parramatta, the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher, said the church was brought to its knees in shame by the commission, which heard allegations of child sex abuse by priests.

In his Easter message, he compared the commission to "global struggles" such as Russia's intervention in Crimea and the missing Malaysian flight MH370.

"A country invaded by a bully neighbour, our church brought to its knees in shame before the royal commission, a plane gone missing with all its passengers - whether it's the personal crises or the global ones, we all crave for a god who cares, who will somehow carry us through, who will bring us peace," Bishop Fisher said.

He says the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a reminder of God's love in times of crises.

"Whatever our fears and sorrows, Christ has defeated death definitively, and now watches over us with love," he said.

"One day we will be raised up with him. May God bless you and your loved ones in this holiest of seasons."