Press Releases08 Apr 04

Bishop Harper's Easter message

EASTER MESSAGE 2004
FROM THE BISHOP OF CONNOR,
THE RIGHT REVD ALAN HARPER

Of the many significant insights are to be found in the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, one line from the Gospel according to St Luke speaks with particular power. The women approaching the tomb were asked ?Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen.? I find this particularly challenging not just because it directs us to experience Christ as a living presence, but also because it directs us to seek that living presence in and through the living relationships we have with others. We should expect to meet the Risen Lord in and through His Easter people of every denomination. To embrace that hope and to live in that expectation has the power to transform our society as we find in Christ our peace.

In Northern Ireland we have developed a considerable capacity for seeing each cup as half empty rather than half full. That sometimes means that too often we recognise the negative side of things and of others long before we recognise the positive. Good news, it appears, is no news! Whereas what we need most is good news together with the capacity to acknowledge and celebrate it when we here it.

We have been the recipients of very good news indeed in Antrim in the past two days: the plan to invest tens of millions of pounds to regenerate tourism along the coast from Carrickfergus to Limavady. This truly is great news to receive at the holiday season of Easter. We are blessed with spectacular scenery, magnificent historic landscapes and monuments, friendly, welcoming and generous people. We have a vibrant and varied cultural life. Let?s be proud of those things! Let?s celebrate our rich heritage! Let?s make much of it for there is that should make this wonderful part of the world a sought after holiday destination. It is my prayer that wise investment of the large sums announced will lead to a new dawn for tourism in the north east of Ulster. The one thing that financial investment cannot deliver, however, is a harmonious community at peace with itself. The most important resource for that lies in the willingness of Christian people of all denominations to seek out and find in each other the risen Christ and by so doing share His a genuine peace.