ANZAC centenary centre of Easter message

The Easter light should be shone in dark places where people are lonely, despairing and anxious, the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher says.

Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher

Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

Sydney's Catholic Archbishop has used an Easter message to reflect on the upcoming Gallipoli centenary and the ongoing religious persecution of Christians around the world.

It was 100 years ago this month young Australians landed at Gallipoli, where 8000 of them died.

But sadly, Archbishop Anthony Fisher says, since the war to end all wars there have been many more.

"Terrorism and religious persecution are now also major concerns, especially in the Middle East, Africa and Asia," he said in his Easter message.

He said while Christians sometimes have been the oppressors, they made up the overwhelming majority of those persecuted for their faith.

Echoing Pope Francis' past messages, Archbishop Fisher listed other failures in "throw-away societies like ours", including "the young aborted in their thousands" and the debate around euthanasia.

As the Gallipoli centenary approaches, Archbishop Fisher questioned whether any war will finally end all wars.

"Can there ever be true peace amongst us?" he said.

The Easter light must be shone in dark places, where people are despairing and lonely, Archbishop Fisher said.

The Anglican Church focused on the particularly early sale of hot cross buns and their signature crosses.

"You may eat and enjoy your hot cross buns without ever noticing," Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Dr Glenn Davies said.

"But if you stop and think about it, the cross is out of place on such a treat."

Dr Davies said the cross meant pain and death but was now empty because Jesus had risen from the dead and offered followers a new life.

"This Easter, the mark of the cross can mark a new beginning for you, too."


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Source: AAP


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