The Royal Family has rushed to acknowledge Easter Sunday on social media, after King Charles’s surprising message praised Islam and Judaism earlier this week.
The King sparked fury among some Christians on Maundy Thursday when Buckingham Palace released his annual Easter message.
Speaking about Jesus, the King said: “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.”
In response, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s former Chaplain Dr Gavin Ashenden called the message “disrespectful” to GB News.
Royal Family respond with rushed Easter post after King’s surprising praise for Islam and Judaism
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Ashenden said: “It would be nice if we could say ‘how wonderful’ and welcome it with generosity, but the trouble is, it causes more trouble than it than it helps.
“The fact is that it’s offensive, partly to Jews and also to Christians, because this is a Christian festival, and it presupposes there are no differences that are essential between Christianity and Islam.”
This morning, the Royal Family’s social media page rushed to post a message acknowledging Easter Sunday after the fallout.
The post read: “He is Risen! Wishing a peaceful and happy Easter Sunday to all who celebrate.”
King Charles’s full message on Maundy Thursday read: “”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.
Queen Camilla and King Charles arriving at the Maundy Thursday servicePA
King Charles received swathes of criticism following his Easter messageGETTY
“His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief.”
Praising other faiths, King Charles continued: “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.
“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 that 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.”
