Archbishop Welby Warns Against 'Hero Culture'

The Archbishop of Canterbury has launched an attack on society's belief that things can improve through change without God, in his first Easter message.

The Most Rev Justin Welby warned against 'vain human optimism' in change as it would lead to cynicism, and only joyfulness through faith in God would lead to 'radical expectation in the future'.

Taking on the issues of the present he said that a sense that hero leaders could bring about improvement showed people had failed to learn the lessons of the Easter story.

The Archbishop told a congregation at Canterbury Cathedral: "I wonder how many people ... think that the future will be better than the past and all problems can be solved if we put our minds to it?

"It's a general sense, one in which most of our society works and it goes with the feeling that if that does not happen, then it ought to and if it doesn't happen, then someone must be doing something to stop it.

"Illusion is replaced by disappointment. And they are both equally wrong."

He said that the culture of the 'hero leader' was equally flawed.

The Most Rev Justin Welby arrives at Canterbury Cathedral

Mr Welby said: "A political party gets a new leader and three months later there is a 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.

"Complexity and humanity are ignored. And we end up, at least in public perception, unreasonably disappointed with every institution, group and policy, from politicians to the NHS, from local government, education and the environment and the sense that there must be a conspiracy somewhere, if only we could spot it.

"Holy Week and Easter show us the reality of God and 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 and fear.

"The disciples pinned all their hopes on Jesus as their leader and on Israel's leaders recognising him as such.

"They made a double mistake. As human beings we tend to live in the present. Societies that cling to the present, or some golden age in the past, fall prey to fear. And groups that cling to power, sink into oppression.

The Queen receives flowers from well-wishers after a service at Windsor

"As well as fear, a false view of people leads to hero leaders who always fail."

He said the solution was to: "Put not your trust in new leaders, better systems, new organisations or regulatory reorganisations. They may be good and well and necessary, but they will to some degree fail."

And that: "Assuming that any organisation is able to have such good systems that human failure will be eliminated is always naive. We have to know God as well as human beings or we are left with cynical despair."

Providing a possible sign of what his tenure as leader of the Anglican community will be like for the coming few years, he challenged media speculation that he could fix the Church's problems.

He said: "On Friday, a newspaper reported that only 40% of churchgoers ... are convinced that the new Archbishop of Canterbury can resolve the problems of the Church of England. Eat your heart out.

Princess Eugenie arrives for the Easter service at St George's Chapel

"I do hope that means that the other 60% thought the idea so barking mad that they didn't answer the question."

He said by disagreeing "gracefully", the Church could be beacon for others.

:: The Queen attended the traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle today with other members of the Royal Family.

She was joined by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie for the Matins service at St George's Chapel, conducted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev David Conner.

In Leicester, the day was especially memorable for a handful of people who were baptised outdoors as the UK was in the grip of one of the coldest Easters in living memory.

In all, seven men and women were fully submerged and baptised by the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, today in a special service at the city's cathedral.

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