Archbishop of Canterbury holds Easter service from his kitchen as churches around the country go remote

Follow our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: the symptoms
Kit Heren12 April 2020

The Archbishop of Canterbury thanked NHS staff and other British key workers for their efforts in helping to combat the coronavirus outbreak in a remote Easter sermon.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England, held the service from his kitchen with all churches closed to combat the spread of Covid-19.

He spoke out about inequality in British society, saying in a pre-recorded sermon: "After so much suffering, so much heroism from key workers and the NHS, we cannot be content to go back to what was before as if all is normal."

"So many people right across the country are anxious about employment, food, are isolated from loved ones and feel that the future looks dark,” the Archbishop said.

“People right across the globe feel the same uncertainty, fear, despair and isolation. But you are not alone.”

Mr Welby linked the suffering felt by many during the coronavirus outbreak with the suffering that Christians believe Jesus underwent on the cross.

The Archbishop added: "In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have a hope that is surer than stone; than any architecture.

“Even in the dark days of this Easter we can feed on hope. We can dream of what our country and our world will look like after the pandemic.”

The service was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, as well as the Church of England's Facebook page and website.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
PA

The Archbishop's service, which would normally have a congregation of around 1,500, ended with a pre-recorded version of the hymn Thine be the Glory, submitted in advance by BBC listeners.

Many churches have moved online since the buildings shut in March. Around 1,000 have been holding regular livestreamed services.

Five million people listened to the Archbishop's service on the BBC on Palm Sunday, a week before Easter.

People watch the Pope give another remote service last month 
AP

Catholics around the world have had a similar experience to followers of the Church of England.

Pope Francis said Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome - broadcast on TV - instead of the traditional service in front of a packed congregation outside in the square.

At the Easter Vigil the previous night the Pope spoke of the importance of hope.

He said: “Tonight we acquire a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope.

"It is a new and living hope that comes from God.”

The head of the Catholic church in England, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, reminded listeners of reasons for optimism in his service on Saturday evening.

He said: “We know that the Holy Spirit continues to hover over our world. In the work of creation, gifts are given of scientific genius, selfless service, enlightened business practice, compassion and generosity in so many hearts.

“We know, too, that these gifts, energised by the Holy Spirit, will bring us forth from this pandemic, which seems so like a tomb. For it is through this same Spirit that the tomb of Jesus is broken open.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in