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Archbishop's reconciliation plea Archbishop's reconciliation plea
(40 minutes later)
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is using his Easter sermon to call for reconciliation in the world. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has used his Easter sermon to call for reconciliation in the world.
He was due to tell the congregation at Canterbury Cathedral that the Easter story of Jesus's death and resurrection shows how conflict can be overcome. He told the congregation at Canterbury Cathedral that the Easter story of Jesus's death and resurrection shows how conflict can be overcome.
In York, Archbishop Dr John Sentamu will carry out open-air baptisms of Christians from many denominations.In York, Archbishop Dr John Sentamu will carry out open-air baptisms of Christians from many denominations.
In his Easter address, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor criticised modern Britain's "now generation" culture.In his Easter address, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor criticised modern Britain's "now generation" culture.
Too often people expected everything "almost instantaneously", he told an Easter vigil at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday.Too often people expected everything "almost instantaneously", he told an Easter vigil at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday.
HealingHealing
Dr Williams's sermon says Christianity's most important festival - marking the resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion - shows how reconciliation can be achieved in the present day. Dr Williams said Christianity's most important festival - marking the resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion - shows how reconciliation can be achieved in the present day.
He adds that its account of devastation followed by joy shows how if those engaged in conflict can admit their own faults, they can escape the deadlock of mutual hatred and suspicion. He added that its account of devastation followed by joy shows how - if those engaged in conflict can admit their own faults - they can escape the deadlock of mutual hatred and suspicion.
The sermon describes a visit to the Solomon Islands in 2004 when a leader caught up in the recent civil war took public responsibility for failure. The sermon included a description of a visit to the Solomon Islands in 2004 when a leader caught up in the recent civil war took public responsibility for failure.
"Here was a politician representing a community that had suffered greatly and inflicted great suffering as well, saying 'We were all wrong. We needed healing and forgiveness,'" the Archbishop says. "Here was a politician representing a community that had suffered greatly and inflicted great suffering as well, saying 'We were all wrong. We needed healing and forgiveness,'" the Archbishop said.
"And it was as if for the first time you could see the bare bones of what reconciliation means.""And it was as if for the first time you could see the bare bones of what reconciliation means."
'Comfort and encouragement''Comfort and encouragement'
The lesson can be applied to other conflicts "when people learn to listen to stories other than their own". Progress in Northern Ireland had allowed people to start hearing about each other's histories, according to the archbishop. The lesson can be applied to other conflicts "when people learn to listen to stories other than their own". Progress in Northern Ireland has allowed people to start hearing about each other's histories, according to the archbishop.
The Easter story provides comfort and encouragement, says Dr Williams. "Give up the struggle to be innocent and the hope that God will proclaim that you were right and everyone else wrong," said Dr Williams.
"Give up the struggle to be innocent and the hope that God will proclaim that you were right and everyone else wrong. Simply ask for whatever healing it is that you need, whatever grace and hope you need to be free, then step towards your neighbour. "Simply ask for whatever healing it is that you need, whatever grace and hope you need to be free, then step towards your neighbour.
"Easter reveals a God who is ready to give you that grace and to walk with you.""Easter reveals a God who is ready to give you that grace and to walk with you."
He adds: "When in our world we are faced with the terrible deadlocks of mutual hatred and suspicion, with rival stories of suffering and atrocity, we have to pray for this resurrection message to be heard."
In York, Dr Sentamu will stand in a pool of water set up in the city centre to baptise new members of the Church. They will include Christians from a range of different denominations.In York, Dr Sentamu will stand in a pool of water set up in the city centre to baptise new members of the Church. They will include Christians from a range of different denominations.