In his New Year message, the Bishop of Penrith references the conflicts in the Holy Land, Ukraine and Sudan, while calling for people to focus on the light of Jesus Christ in 2024.

The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, who was filmed at St Andrew’s Penrith, also touches on the difficulties faced by thousands due to the continued cost-of-living crisis and global climate change.

Bishop Rob says: “This has been another turbulent year. The terrible conflict in Israel and Gaza, the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere, weigh heavily on us.

“Concerns which are closer to home, the cost of living, climate change, struggling public services and the great inequality we can see around us, also trouble us. We know that the world is not as it should be. We long for the coming of God’s kingdom, where things are the right way up.”

In considering the challenges ahead, Bishop Rob points us to John’s gospel and the light that we see in Jesus Christ; a light which can never be dimmed.

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He adds: “This light, says John, is Jesus Christ. No trouble, no sickness, no poverty, can overcome him. He gives hope to the hopeless, comfort to those in pain, healing and strength.”

Bishop Rob concludes by urging people to turn to this light in the coming year and beyond.