In the midst of poverty, war, and the devastating effects of climate change, Christians in Australia have been encouraged to 'keep the faith' during Easter.

Archbishop Philip Wilson, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president, noted, "Amidst the gloom of drought, the war on terror, bushfires, growing social disadvantage across Australia, unthinkable family tragedies and a rising road toll, Easter reminds us to keep the faith."

Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia Archbishop Phillip Aspinall said society was "surrounded by unusually stark reminders of the fragility of life".

"We have watched rivers and waterways run dry, and seen, either first-hand or on television news, farming land become arid and non-productive," he said. "In many parts of Australia we are facing increasingly severe water restrictions and we are seeing grass and plants in our own gardens gradually wither and die.

"These images are ready and immediate symbols of death for us." But, he said, "the God of the Bible acts in unexpected and surprising ways to create life and new beginnings where all looks dead and lost".

In addition, Sydney's Cardinal George Pell speculated that God may have been getting more press coverage lately because society was rethinking its beliefs in the light of Islamic terrorism, but noted that "more importantly, we are uneasy about the climate".

"We are told El Nino has disappeared, but the drought is not over in most parts," Cardinal Pell said. "And we have the threat of global warming. It is to be hoped the one true God will accept all those carbon credits.

"The Christian God is not an insurance broker and his son had more than his share of trouble. Neither did Jesus say anything on global warming, although he said much on the struggle between good and evil, meaning and fear, love and hate."

Meanwhile, National Council of Churches general secretary Reverend John Henderson said the council hoped "even more people will find their place in a Christian community this weekend, and that those communities will welcome everyone who comes, in the name of Christ".