Suffolk’s leading clergyman has called on people to rethink their lives this Easter as “we are consuming ourselves and our world to death”.

Acting Bishop for the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, the Rt Rev Dr David Thomson says the rich are getting richer, the poor poorer, and people need to put giving at the heart of their life and live for others, not themselves.

In his Easter message, he talks about a confirmation service he will lead at St Edmundsbury Cathedral this weekend for 45 people of all ages and backgrounds starting a new life.

He said: “As the sun sets we will light a great candle, the sign of a dead man living, of Jesus Christ who really died publicly and in great agony on a cross on the first Good Friday, and equally publicly rose to a new sort of life with great joy on the first Easter Day, a life he shares with us when we put our trust in him.

“This is not airy-fairy, make-believe stuff.

“The historical evidence for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is as good as it gets.

“That risen life was as real as your breakfast – he ate one too! – and the only thing that stops us analysing it scientifically is that we aren’t there to do it.

“This really matters. We are consuming ourselves and our world to death.

“We are locked into a system which sees the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We are living the wrong way up.

“This Easter, will you join those Easter candidates, will you join me, will you join Jesus, in saying yes to turning the world the right way up again? Will you follow his example and ask his help to put giving not getting at the heart of your life, to live for others not yourself?”

Bishop David highlights “ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the strength Jesus” in Suffolk by running food banks and night shelters, launching charities and ethical businesses, serving in caring professions and public life, and being good neighbours.

He said: “Join the movement. Live the light. Be the Easter people of today.”