Press Releases
EASTER DAY 1998
Extract from sermon preached by The Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh
The Christian meaning of Easter morning has always spoken of hope, joy and peace. Throughout the long years of our troubles we celebrated that message and we prayed that that same meaning would find expression in our community.
This Easter morning the developments of the past few days have spoken of hope. What we have seen and heard would have seemed utterly impossible even a few years ago. Genuine effort and courage by the two governments and political parties have produced a major breakthrough in the political scene in Ireland. There is natural joy at this development - but the reality is that now the real task of understanding what has happened, of applying what has happened to the ordinary everyday lives of people - and above all of grasping the opportunities made possible these last few days really begins.
Much will be demanded of the whole of our community. If we are to take a major step forward in building a better future it will be the attitudes of people which will decide what that future is to be. Political agreement is a vital step on the long road to peace. But it is only a step - vital though it is. Now we must pray for guidance and courage that within the community we can find and grasp new ways of building bridges.
Much will be demanded of those who have lost loved ones, of those who have suffered at the hands of terrorism, of those who carry the real scars of the past. They must not be forgotten and their feelings should be very much in our hearts and prayers at this time.
Jesus said "I am the Resurrection and the life". Once the first euphoria and amazement of the Resurrection passed the real task of living out the Easter faith began for Christians. So it is today real issues, real possibilities and real hopes must be translated into everyday lives and into ordinary everyday situations.
May the Easter joy and hope lead us all forward.
+ Robert Armagh
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