Happy Easter to all my constituents. The Easter message is one of hope, renewal and new life. Aspects of modern Easter festivities have their roots in pre-Christian religions which celebrated the coming of spring after the long winter.
Millions of Christians will celebrate Easter this weekend (not all, because the Orthodox churches will mark the day in a weeks’ time) as the happiest and most significant day in the Christian calendar.
Sadly there are hundreds of thousands of people who will be forced to reflect on Easter and the message of Christ’s Resurrection in secret. In many countries around the world, it is difficult and dangerous to be a Christian.
The adherents of Christ in the early decades and centuries of the faith were persecuted; and unfortunately some Christians in the modern era also face violence and discrimination. For example, Christians are under attack in much of the Middle East and north Africa.
This is an issue I have highlighted in Parliament on many occasions. I will continue to press our Government to make the case strongly for freedom of religion and belief when they deal with countries where Christianity is under attack.