Archbishop Eamon Martin expresses hope 'dark clouds of war' can be overcome in Easter message
Archbishop Eamon Martin expressed hope the 'dark clouds of war can be overcome by the Easter promise of love' in his Easter message.
The Derry-born leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland lamented the continuing death and destruction in the Middle East and Ukraine and other parts of the world.
"In recent months, dark clouds of war and violence have overshadowed the coming of spring and the promise of hope that springtime naturally brings into the world.
"Although from this distance we cannot hear the bombs and sirens of warfare from the Middle East or Ukraine, the distressing impact of conflict ripples around the world with escalating prices and volatile markets, and a creeping sense of despair," said the Primate of All Ireland.
He spoke of the indiscriminate slaughter inflicted by those dropping bombs on civilians.
"Proponents of so-called 'modern warfare' try to tell us that attacks can be clinical and contained, but that’s an illusion.
"We are deceiving ourselves to think that the ongoing use of rockets and bombs in built up areas, or the destruction of essential infrastructure, roads, bridges, water and fuel stations does anything other than spread fear and terror among innocent, civilian populations. Let us be clear: war corrupts and depresses. War is ‘a defeat for humanity’," he noted.
The Archbishop encouraged people not to despair.
"It is of course hard to find Hope in the rubble of a bombed hospital or school, or in the frightened eyes of a displaced family who have lost everything they own, or in the tears of those whose loved ones have been killed through acts of violence.
"But the promise of Easter is that the Risen Christ defeated the darkness of evil on the Hill of Calvary. That Good News is needed this year more than ever, and it is our mission as Christians to make it known," he stated.
The Archbishop concluded: "As Easter people here in Ireland, despite the temptation to be overcome by the darkness of despair and give up on peace, let us also be witnesses for the Risen Christ in these days, speaking and spreading the Easter promise of love, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation and the hope of a new springtime.
"Peace be with you. Beannachtaí agus Síocháin na Cásca oraibh go léir. Happy Easter to all."