Overview
- Church leaders across Berlin, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, who delivered Easter messages Sunday, urged peace in response to concurrent wars.
- In Berlin, Bishop Christian Stäblein said the church joins a protest against injustice and killing, and Archbishop Heiner Koch said hope in the risen Christ drives work for every human life and for peace.
- In North Rhine-Westphalia, sermons named Mariupol, Gaza, Tehran and Tel Aviv to press for solidarity, justice and renewed efforts for peace.
- Essen Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck, who also serves as Germany’s Catholic military bishop, urged that force be used only when necessary, within the law, and aimed at reconciliation.
- Local parishes kept core rites such as the Easter candle, the Exsultet and the blessing of food, with priests asking congregations to share joy and look after people who feel alone.