The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, has issued a poignant New Year message for 2026, urging communities to embrace a path of hope despite challenging times. Her reflection draws on a significant meeting in Rome, personal heritage, and the core Christian message proclaimed during Christmas.
A Roman Meeting and a Call to Hope
In her address, the Bishop recalls the joy of meeting Pope Leo in Rome in November 2025. The occasion was the historic declaration of Cardinal Newman as a Doctor of the Church, an event given deeper resonance as it occurred within the Jubilee Year, themed 'Pilgrims of Hope'. Bishop Francis-Dehqani suggests this theme is a vital guide as society stands on the threshold of a new year, called to journey together with confidence.
She acknowledges the modern temptations towards despair, citing a febrile political environment, the diminished standing of the Church, and personal weariness. However, she counters that Christians are fundamentally called to be people of Hope, grounded in the 'Word made Flesh'—the central Christmas message proclaimed across the Diocese.
Hope Redefined: Beyond Secular Measures
The Bishop expands on a radical definition of hope, contrasting it with secular society's typical benchmarks. She references Pope Leo's November message for the World Day of the Poor, where he urged recognition of those in poverty as "witnesses to a strong and steadfast hope" precisely because they embody it amidst hardship.
Christian Hope, she argues, has nothing to do with predicting successful outcomes. Instead, it is everything to do with "the conviction of things not seen" and the determination to travel well through uncertainty. This hope is rooted in the belief in a God who renews all things, offering a steadfast anchor regardless of circumstance.
Light in the Darkness: A Personal and Spiritual Perspective
Bishop Francis-Dehqani adds a unique personal dimension, reflecting on her Persian childhood where New Year (Nowruz) was celebrated on March 21, the Spring Equinox. While cherishing that memory of new life, she has come to see the blessing in the Western tradition of marking the New Year in winter's darkness and bleakness.
This insight is crystallised by the words from St. John's Gospel she sees daily in the chapel at Bishopscourt: "Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." For her, this encapsulates the essence of true Hope. Concluding her message, she wishes for a happy and Hope-filled 2026 for all individuals, their loved ones, and their communities across Essex and beyond.
