King Charles has shared an Easter message in which he said the world still needs “faith, hope and love”.
While some praised his message, others voiced concern over his brief references to other religions.
His last Christmas message faced criticism for the same reason.
EASTER MESSAGE FROM KING CHARLES
“One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness.”
“This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes.”
“At one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.
“A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace and felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.”
“On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him.”
“His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief.”
THE KING’S WORDS THAT RECEIVED WIDESPREAD PRAISE
His Majesty concluded with brief, but profound Biblical quotes which were put out separately on social media against a muted floral background with a cross at the centre bottom:
“The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world — the whole world — that He sent His Son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death”
“There are three virtues the world still needs: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.”
“It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.”
Those final words attracted online comments such as
“This is the message our world needs”
“Beautiful message”
“Love will prevail. Happy Easter to all.”
THE KING’S WORDS THAT PROMPTED CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Christian Today reports the reaction wasn’t so positive when King Charles deviated into nods to Judaism and Islam in the middle of his message, saying:.
“The love He showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need — a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others.”
Social media lit up with comments like:
“Is this a joke?”
“Is he not the head of the Church of England?”
“When it’s my son’s birthday I don’t wish my daughter happy birthday too.”
“Let Easter just be Easter.”
Some even pointed out those references were a stark contrast to the faith-filled Easter message of US President Donald Trump.
KING’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE ALSO REFERRED TO OTHER FAITHS
The King faced similar criticisms over his last Christmas message which, in a brief line, appeared to suggest that all faiths are the same.
In that message he said:
“As the famous Christmas carol ‘Once In Royal David’s City’ reminds us, ‘Our Saviour holy’ ‘came down to Earth from Heaven’, lived among ‘the poor and mean and lowly’ and transformed the lives of those He met, through God’s ‘redeeming love’.”
“That is the heart of the Nativity Story and we can hear its beat in the belief of all the great faiths in the love and mercy of God in times of joy and of suffering, calling us to bring light where there is darkness.”
King Charles was accused of “syncretism” or promoting a “moralistic, do it yourself, multi-faith religion”.
WHAT KING AND QUEEN DID ON MAUNDY THURSDAY
The King and Queen spent Maundy Thursday at Durham Cathedral where they distributed the traditional Maundy money to 76 men and 76 women, signifying the King’s age.
The Maundy money is made up of four specially-minted coins that are traditionally given by the monarch on Maundy Thursday to people who have done commendable acts of Christian service.
