Australia’s Christian church leaders have issued Easter messages pointing to the hope of the empty tomb and the much-needed peace this can bring in a world riven by conflict. Source: National Council of Churches Australia.
This year, the Western churches celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 5 and the Orthodox and Oriental churches will celebrate Pascha on Sunday, April 12.
Rev. John Gilmore, President of the National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA) said that this Easter arrives against the backdrop of war, violence and suffering.
“We live among and in the forces of death which rob people of dignity, identity and hope,” he said. “The Easter witness is that Death does not have the last word. We look for and trust that risen Christ, brings life even in the most difficult circumstances. Our witness to the Risen Christ may not be understood and accepted. It is our faith in the Risen one that changes us and our view of the world.
“We find the Risen Christ, not in the tomb, but in the revelation of his presence wherever we are and in whatever circumstances we face. We are invited to look for the signs of the presence of the Risen one in the very situation of our own lives. This is the witness of Easter and for this we give thanks.”
In his message for the NCCA, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, said this year’s Jubilee Year of St Francis would commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of one of the world’s most loved exemplars of peace and Easter joy.
“This Easter, joy is a rare commodity in many parts of our world, especially those torn apart by war. As Psalm 137:4 puts it: “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” The message of the Cross and the Resurrection is that we can continue to sing, knowing that Christ is Risen. The Risen Lord is reason for joy,” he said.
“May we all seek to ensure others can experience that joy within communities and nations whose hallmarks are peace, mercy, justice and generosity. May we all be instruments of peace.”
The NCCA’s Easter statement includes messages from the leaders of the Anglican Church of Australia, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Chinese Methodist Church in Australia, Congregational Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Coptic Orthodox Church – Diocese of Sydney and Affiliated Regions, Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, Lutheran Church of Australia, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), The Salvation Army Australia Territory, Uniting Church in Australia, Australian Baptist Ministries, Australian Christian Churches.
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Easter 2026 Messages from Australia’s National Church Leaders (NCCA)
