My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we celebrate this Easter the triumph of life over death, of love over hate, of grace over sin in the Person of Jesus Christ, we are conscious of the fact that, some two thousand years on, the world, which He came to save and to change, is still very much in need of His message of peace and reconciliation.
Ten years ago, as the world body stood by, over one million innocent people were hacked to death in Rwanda. The consequences of that horrendous event still afflict that central-African Nation.
At present the Holy Land, hallowed by the footprints of the Messiah, which was the setting in which He said " love one another as I have loved you"(Jn.15:12), is torn asunder by hatred and strife. The wider context of the Middle East is today the stage of an ever-more dangerous conflict in which human life and dignity are crushed. And the fear engendered by terror threats world-wide leaves one to wonder what is becoming of this world which "God loved so much that He gave His only Son" (cf. Jn.3:16), that Son who before He went to the Cross told His followers: "In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world" (Jn.16:33).
My dear friends, as we celebrate with the Risen Christ this year we must be brave and believe that all conflict and strife can be conquered and overcome through love and respect: love as He has taught us, not counting the cost; respect for the dignity of every human person which will guarantee the basic human rights of every people and Nation. The first words of the Risen Christ to His followers were: "Peace be with you" (Jn. 20:20). May we believe that peace is possible and may we all accept it as His Easter gift to the world for He told us: "My own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you" (Jn.14:27).
A happy and peaceful Easter to all!
+John Magee
Bishop of Cloyne