Archbishop attacks dot.com society
The Archbishop of Canterbury today warned that the seductive values of power, success, fame and money should never blind people to the important things in life.
Delivering his Easter Day sermon, Dr George Carey, branded such values as "transitory, paltry things" associated with our "dot.com society" and urged people to look to spiritual values for guidance.
He said: "We are so often seduced into believing that all that matters are things like power, success, fame and money. No, these are transitory, paltry things when compared to ultimate things of the Spirit."
He went on: "Our country and her children must be rooted in these truths of the Easter faith - in the love of God and his personal and passionate commitment for each one of us.
"If not we shall mistake the temporal for the real world and suffer terribly as a result."
Dr Carey, speaking at Canterbury Cathedral, said images and icons were powerful weapons "which could communicate ideas and convey subliminal messages" and said: "Today business leaders pay as much attention to the message communicated by their brand images as they do to the rise and fall of the share prices they pore over anxiously each morning.
"They know how important the 'logo' is because, before a word is said, the image has already uttered its message."
In an age where image is so important, Dr Carey said people should look to the Cross, "the icon of Christianity" which is in itself a "powerful and potent image".
He said: "The Easter image of the Cross is a universal sign, still potent and relevant in its appeal."
He described recently seeing pictures of starving children in Ethiopia, saying: "One, a picture of a young boy being supported by his mother, bore an astonishing similarity with the emaciated Christ. It reminded me that the Cross calls on us to protest for humankind."
Dr Carey said the Church had a duty to stand by the very poor, weak and starving and urged people not to give up and abandon them.
He said: "I am concerned at present that 'Africa fatigue' is beginning to affect us all.
"If it is not Mozambique and the floods, then it is Sudan and the forgotten war. If it is not Rwanda and the genocide, then it is Sierra Leone and the forced amputations of limbs from men, women and children."
He went on: "All too easily, in the face of such overwhelming suffering, we can shrug our shoulders and turn away from the pain.
"But the Cross compels us never to give up striving, working, hoping and praying - because it is God's people we are standing for and it is his love that we are reflecting." Dr Carey added: "Easter gathers in the Cross and symbolises the tremendous victory of God over death and sin, over despair and hopelessness."
He said: "The Cross, this great symbol of weakness, like a huge field of energy, is able to give life, inspiration and renewed hope.
"It gives us a reason to go on believing, celebrating and rejoicing because Christ is risen."
He added: "So, today, and every day, may this Easter faith in the death and resurrection of Christ renew your faith and trust as you face the future.
"And may each one of us wear the Cross proudly: the icon of God's love. A protest for humankind and his sign of victory and hope for our lives." |
