Brussels, Indigenous in Easter messages

The Brussels attacks, indigenous sovereignty and love's triumph over evil have all garnered mentions in the Easter messages of Australia's Christian leaders.

Adelaide Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson offered prayers to victims of the "senseless violence" in Belgium.

He said Jesus had not died for only his followers but "gave his life for the salvation of the whole human race."

Australia's Anglican leader Philip Freier has used his Easter message to remind followers the key message of the Christian festival: Life and love triumphs.

"This biblical truth invites us to not to lose courage in the face of human cruelty or to lose hope on account of the apparent triumph of evil and despair," Dr Freier said.

President of the Uniting Church Stuart McMillan appealed for a serious national conversation on Indigenous sovereignty.

"This is a conversation about renewed hope for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, indeed for our nation," he said from the Ikara-Flinders Ranges in outback South Australia.

The symbolism of the empty cross was stressed by Sydney Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies, who spoke of Chinese authorities ripping it from churches.

"It is strange that the cross should be feared for its power, because in Jesus' time a cross meant execution - it meant failure and death," he said.

Other Christian leaders urged compassion to be shown even in demanding situations.

Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart appealed for communities to "run forward with open hands" to alleviate the plight of refugees, victims of violence and all who feel abandoned and lost.

Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher linked the Easter message of peace to the raising of glasses at celebrations.

"We are rarely conscious that such a toast is a prayer - for health, healing, safety, happiness - for ourselves and each other," he said.

But he said that unlike the easy words of a toast, healing peace at Easter comes at the cost of Christ's human life.