THE Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich has issued his annual Easter message and this year says he hopes the church will work towards reconciliation and be an example to the rest of society and also take care of the less well-off.

The Rt Rev Nigel Stock echoed a similar call from the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, who identified similar issues as some of his priorities.

Bishop Nigel said that Easter was the most important festival in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection from the dead of Jesus.

He added: “I am impressed by the three things which are the Archbishop’s priorities – renewal of prayer, renewal of evangelism and reconciliation both within the church and in our nation.

“The church can influence society and make a real difference, but we do need to be a model of living together and reconciliation ourselves, not least over the issue of women becoming bishops and over the differing views on issues of human sexuality.”

Bishop Nigel said that part of leading by example meant it was imperative to take care of the least well-off in our society and do all we can.

He identified the Ipswich Winter Night Shelter, which has been offering overnight shelter and hospitality at a town centre church, with beds and food for 12 people through the winter.

Bishop Nigel said: “This project continues to rely on the hard work and dedication of many people whose willingness to help is an inspiration for the whole of Ipswich.

“It has been a wonderful effort and it has been sorely needed in the very cold spells of this winter.

“I would like to again express my admiration for all involved.”

More than 400 volunteers came forward to help run the award-winning night shelters in shifts, and the Red Cross laid on a Land Rover to help these volunteers beat the icy conditions and make it through to help the homeless as temperatures plunged to minus 15C in parts of the county.