Fairtrade Easter at Southwark Cathedral

For the first time, fairly traded and locally sourced goods will be a central part of Southwark Cathedral's Easter celebrations.

Maundy Thursday is when the Bishop of Southwark traditionally blesses the oils for use in ministry around the diocese in the coming year.

This year, the cathedral has chosen oil from Palestinian olive growers as a gesture of solidarity with the communities visited by the bishop, dean and pilgrims during the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The Easter Candle to be lit on Holy Saturday by the Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, has been made by a producer of wax and honey based in a church garden in Vauxhall.

On Easter Sunday, the bishop will hand out Easter eggs made from fairtrade chocolate to children in the congregation, including 40 choristers.

Cathedral Dean, the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn said: "We want everyone to share in the joy of Easter. Supporting struggling Palestinian communities, cocoa growers and local organic industries is one way we can do this."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Young men in the US overtake women on religious commitment, new data shows
Young men in the US overtake women on religious commitment, new data shows

Young men in the US are now more likely than young women to say religion plays a central role in their lives, marking a notable shift in long-standing patterns of religious belief, according to new analysis from Gallup.

IDF says 'appropriate measures' will be taken against soldier who desecrated Jesus statue
IDF says 'appropriate measures' will be taken against soldier who desecrated Jesus statue

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said “appropriate measures” will be taken against any of its troops involved in the desecration of a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon.

The warning of Judges
The warning of Judges

The book of Judges offers sobering lessons for the present day but will they be heeded?

Polling expert: No 'public consent' for assisted suicide
Polling expert: No 'public consent' for assisted suicide

People are concerned about the safeguards of the assisted suicide bill.