Don't bank on 'hero leaders', says Welby as he reminds his Easter congregation of human fallibility
- Archbishop of Canterbury uses first Easter Sunday sermon to warn against 'pinning hopes on individuals'
- Head of church tells worshippers new leaders or systems will 'to some degree fail'
- Pope Francis also celebrates his first Easter Sunday Mass today at packed St Peter's Square
- Vatican said 250,000 turned out to hear Pope's first Easter speech and blessing
- Pope uses Easter Sunday address to call for peace in the world
By James Rush and Hannah Roberts In Rome
PUBLISHED:05:20 EST, 31 March 2013| UPDATED:17:59 EST, 31 March 2013
The Archbishop of Canterbury warned yesterday against ‘pinning hopes on individuals’ at the top to solve our problems.
The Most Rev Justin Welby said that ignoring complexity and human weaknesses left us ‘unreasonably disappointed’ with everyone ‘from politicians to NHS, education to environment’.
Ten days after being enthroned as head of the Church of England, he warned against what he called the ‘hero leader culture’.
Sermon: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, used his first Easter Sunday sermon to warn against 'pinning hopes on individuals'
Cathedral: The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby addresses the congregation at Canterbury Cathedral during the Easter Day service
Entrance: Caroline Welby (second right), the wife of the Most Rev and Rt Hon Justin Welby (left), the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, watches her husband enter Canterbury Cathedral to lead the Easter Sunday service
Sermon: The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby (left), delivers his sermon during the Easter Day service (right)
He told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral: ‘A political party gets a new leader and three months later there is comment about disappointment.
‘An economy suffers the worst blow in generations with a debt crisis and economic downturn, and the fact that not everything is perfect within five years is seen as total failure.’
Turning to reports on Friday that only 40 per cent of churchgoers are convinced the new archbishop can resolve the problems of the Church of England, he said: ‘I do hope that means the other 60 per cent thought the idea so barking mad that they did not answer the question.’
Mr Welby said: ‘Put not your trust in new leaders, better systems, new organisations or regulatory reorganisation.
‘They may well be good and necessary, but will to some degree fail.
Complexities: The Most Rev Justin Welby said ignoring complexity and humanity left us 'unreasonably disappointed' with everyone 'from politicians to NHS, education to environment'
'Cruelty': Mr Welby told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral that setting people or institutions up to heights where they can only fail was 'mere cruelty'.
After the service: The Archbishop of Canterbury (centre) speaks with the Very Reverend Robert Willis (right), Dean of Canterbury, outside Canterbury Cathedral following the Easter Sunday service
‘Human sin means pinning hopes on individuals is always a mistake, and assuming that any organisation is able to have such good systems that human failure will be eliminated is naive.’
He added: ‘Human fallibility recognised, God’s sovereignty trusted – these are also the only stable foundation for human beings in society.
‘Setting people or institutions up to heights where they cannot but fail is mere cruelty.’
The 57-year-old former oil executive added: ‘Holy Week and Easter show us the reality of God and of human beings.
‘It is a reality that equips us for action in the world, action that is based on hope and realism, not on cynicism or fear.’
Warning: The Archbishop used his first Easter Sunday sermon to warn against 'pinning hopes in individuals' in politics and public life
At the Vatican newly-elected Pope Francis was also giving his first Easter Sunday address since becoming the leader of the Catholic church.
His unwillingness to embrace Vatican pomp has already earned him a reputation as an ‘austerity’ Pope and the new pontiff used his address to preach what he practises – with an attack on greed and selfishness.
Pope Francis’s greeting from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica reflected his push for social justice.
He lamented the ‘world still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness that threatens human life and the family’.
Delivery: Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to at least 250,000 faithful after the Easter Holy Mass at St Peter's Square
Call for peace: Pope Francis used his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing to call for peace
End to conflicts: In his first Easter speech, Francis called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria, and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries
'Guardians of creation': The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina condemned the 'iniquitous exploitation of natural resources' and urged everyone to be 'guardians' of creation
Message: Francis said the message of Easter is that faith can help people transform their lives by letting 'those desert places in our hearts bloom'
During his address, Francis said he wished a ‘happy Easter’ greeting could reach every ‘home and family, especially where the suffering is greatest in hospitals and prisons’.
The Pope also decried terrorism and what he called the 21st century’s most extensive form of slavery – human trafficking.
Since the start of his Papacy a fortnight ago Francis has eschewed Vatican grandeur.
He has refused to move into the luxurious Papal apartments, which he claimed were ‘big enough for 300 people’, and continues to wear a plastic wristwatch, plain iron crucifix and scruffy black shoes.
As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis lived in a simple one-bedroom flat and travelled by public transport.
Faithful: Pope Francis waves to the thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square after celebrating the Easter mass
Football fan: Pope Francis holds a San Lorenzo's shirt, the Buenos Aires football team, handed to him at the end of the Easter mass
Caring: Pope Francis hugs a child during the Easter Sunday celebrations
Blessed: Pope Francis hugs a child after celebrating his first Easter Mass
Crowds: Pope Francis (centre) waves to the crowd from the Popemobile in St Peter's Square today
Dialogue: Pope Francis speaks to the faithful in St Peter's Square
Laughter: Pope Francis greets the faithful prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica
VIDEO Pope Francis calls for World peace during his first Easter address
Since his election the Argentine has put his concern for the poor at the heart of his speeches. Yesterday, he did not mention the Falklands dispute, in which Argentine president Cristina Kirchner has asked him to intervene.
But, like previous Popes, he urged Israelis and Palestinians to resume peace talks and expressed regret for a series of conflicts including Syria, the Congo and North Korea.
The address followed a mass celebrated on the steps of the great basilica, where around 250,000 pilgrims were gathered.
Afterwards, flanked by heavy security, Francis asked to tour the square by popemobile, so he could embrace children and the sick.
In a typically down-to-earth gesture, he even gave a thumbs-up to someone in the crowd.
He also greeted around 30 cardinals who attended.
Most of the cardinals who voted in the conclave had returned to administer Easter mass to their own congregations.
Kiss: Pope Francis kisses a baby after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St Peter's Square
Greetings: Pope Francis sets off in the popemobile to make this way through the crowds during the celebrations today. Pictured right, Francis salutes cardinal Angelo Sodano (left) in St Peter's Square
Popemobile: Pope Francis greets the faithful prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing
Service: Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Easter mass at the Vatican this morning
Blessing: The pope was due to give his first Easter speech and blessing after the Mass today
Former pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in February, was not present.
Following concern that his presence in Rome could undermine his successor’s authority Benedict is contemplating a return to his native Germany, according to Italian media.
The Pope Emeritus had planned to move into a cloistered convent inside the Vatican.
However, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica said that with his homeland‘still in his heart and in his mind’ he is thinking of retiring to a monastery in Bavaria.
Benedict, may apparently choose to live at a Bavarian shrine Altötting, to which he dedicated a page of his memoirs. This would allow him to be near his brother Georg.
Expectant: The faithful had already filled the square hours before the Mass began in mid-morning, presided over by Pope Francis
Mass: Pope Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass before 250,000 people in St Peter's Square
Communion: Pope Francis celebrates the Eucharist during the Easter service today
Celebrations: Pope Francis leads the Easter celebrations in St Peter's Square today
Easter Mass: Pope Francis prior to delivering his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica during Easter Mass
Vatican: : Pope Francis (centre) before delivering his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing during Easter Mass
Preparations: St Peter's Square before the Easter celebrations today
Standing to attention: Swiss guards at St Peter's Square before the Easter celebrations
Arrival: Swiss guards make their way through the crowds at St Peter's Square
History: The Pope's Easter speech has been used by past pontiffs to reflect on the world's conflicts and ills
Flags: Pilgrims wave an Argentinian flag in honour of Pope Francis before the Easter celebrations today
STREETS OF FLORENCE PACKED FOR THE 'EXPLOSION OF THE CART' FOLK TRADITION
Locals and tourists packed the streets of Florence today, for the 'Explosion of the Cart' folk tradition.
A cart packed with pyrotechnics provides a spectacle on Easter Sunday in the city as part of a tradition.
The show is supposed to guarantee a good harvest and business, according to the tradition.
Explosions: Locals and tourists attend the 'Explosion of the Cart' folk tradition of Florence
Tradition: On Easter Sunday, a cart packed with pyrotechnics provides a spectacle in Florence
Fireworks: The show is supposed to guarantee a good harvest and business, according to tradition
Spectacular: The cart looks impressive even before the fireworks begin
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2301881/Dont-bank-hero-leaders-says-Welby-reminds-Easter-congregation-human-fallibility.html#ixzz2PABbjjt5Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment