Archbishop Calls for Middle East Peace in First Easter Sermon

Published: 05 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, will call for an end to violence in the Middle East during her first Easter sermon as leader of the Church of England. Speaking at Canterbury Cathedral, she will pray “with renewed urgency” for peace as the US-Israel war against Iran enters its sixth week.

In her sermon, Dame Sarah will ask that all people in the Middle East and Gulf region “receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for,” highlighting the human toll of the ongoing conflict. Thousands have reportedly died since the fighting began on 28 February, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory attacks by Iran and its allies across the Gulf.

Preaching on St John’s Gospel, the archbishop will reflect on Jesus Christ’s resurrection and Mary’s vigil at his tomb, urging the congregation to consider their own struggles and darkness, such as illness or bereavement. “I pray you know that God walks with you through that darkness,” she said. She will also honour caregivers and loved ones who provide support in hospitals and hospices, describing their work as a “vigil of care.”

Her Easter sermon follows shortly after her installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in late March. During the ceremony, Dame Sarah prayed for peace and justice in all conflict zones and acknowledged the ongoing Middle East war prevented some church members from attending. She succeeds Justin Welby, who resigned in 2024 amid criticism over his handling of an abuse case.

As archbishop, Dame Sarah faces the challenge of leading a global church amid debates over sexuality, female leadership, and other theological divisions, with some traditionalists opposing women serving as priests. Nevertheless, her Easter message emphasises hope, peace, and the pursuit of justice, both within the Church and across war-affected regions of the world.