The Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, has taken forgiveness as his theme for the annual Easter message and asked for a pause in electioneering during this special time.

The Archbishop began his message by quoting Jesus’ famous prayer on the Cross: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. 

“As we look at the world around us, we can tell there is a deep, even overwhelming, need for God’s forgiveness,” the Archbishop said. “We are living through one of the most unsettled periods in recent history. A time when both individuals and nations are experiencing division and conflict and struggle to forgive one another.

“Global conflicts remain as intractable as ever, and while I trust we can pause from political debates to rest this Easter, it’s clear that there are stresses and strains even in our own country.” 

Archbishop Raffel said we can all use Easter to reflect on forgiveness.

“Many of us lack peace personally because we struggle to find forgiveness in our own lives,” he said. “If we’re honest, we’ve all fallen short – of the standards we set for ourselves, and especially of God’s perfect standard of love.

“Jesus offers us peace with God through the forgiveness he provides. If he prayed for pardon for those who crucified him, he will also extend it to you and me, when we ask.

“Easter is God’s act of reconciliation – the forgiveness the world so desperately needs, and the forgiveness we all need personally. Now is the time to find forgiveness through Jesus.”

Churches across Sydney will hold Easter services (see the Easter Near You site).

The main Easter services at St Andrew’s Cathedral are 10am on Good Friday with Dean Sandy Grant and 10.30am on Easter Sunday with Archbishop Raffel.