Archbishop Terlinden calls in Easter vigil to make war on war in Gaza and Ukraine
Theme – © Belga
Luc Terlinden, the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussel, called on Saturday evening in his Easter vigil in the Sint-Michiels and Sint-Goodskathedral in Brussels to put an end to the war in Ukraine, Eastern Congo and Gaza. The Archbishop also emphasized that humanity needs hope.
In his homily, Archbishop Terlinden pulled a parallel between the women so many years ago on their way to the grave of Jesus and the women today in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. « Crying for a child, a husband, a loved one, innocent victim of violence and hatred. »
« How can we not think of the drama that takes place today in Gaza, the country where Jesus was born lived, died and rose? All those badly battered children, who lives in inhumane circumstances, that blind violence, those traumatized hostages … All this makes us exclaim: now finally put the suffering and the war. » Terlind.
At the same time, the women in the gospel are also messengers of hope, according to the Archbishop. « By proclaiming that Christ has risen, they open a new path, a way of hope. They testify that poverty, evil and even death do not have the last word. » And that horizon is more than ever needed for our world, Dixit Terlinden, « Humanity craves hope! »
Baptisms
However, that Christian hope should not be an excuse for crossing the poor, waiting for better times, the Archbishop said.
Read too. Archbishop Luc Terlinden about sexual abuse in church: « Seriously failed »
« On the contrary, hope drives us into concrete commitment, to love, to building justice and peace. The hope, rooted in faith and in the resurrection, becomes a power for today. She blows new energy in our love and our charity. »
The Archbishop baptized 13 adult candidate dipping during the celebration.
At Easter, the Archbishop also leads the Easter celebration in the Sint Romboutskathedral of Mechelen.
