Melbourne News
Monday 21 March 2016
PALM SUNDAY was devoted to Australia’s response to the refugee/asylum seeker crisis, in St Patrick’s Cathedral and then, an hour later, in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Monday 21 March 2016
Media and Communications Office
PALM SUNDAY was devoted to Australia’s response to the refugee/asylum seeker crisis, in St Patrick’s Cathedral and then, an hour later, in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Bishop Vincent Long held a special prayer service in Melbourne’s cathedral, ‘For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas, praying in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers, before most of the congregation walked to Melbourne’s State Library to join the community Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees, the event organized by the Refugee Advocacy Network.
In St Patrick’s, Bishop Long led the congregation in praying for reconciliation and solidarity, asking forgiveness for those times when we have chosen not to listen to the voices crying out for justice, praying for forgiveness for our own fear and inattention, and praying for the courage to speak out in support of those struggling for their basic human rights and dignity.
‘We lament the lack of compassion for people seeking asylum in Australia,’ said Bishop Long. ‘We lament the denial of human dignity and freedom. We lament ‘the globalization of indifference.’’
Readings from Isiah 53 threw today’s humanitarian crisis into sharp relief. ‘He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with the deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked away.’
Bishop Long read from Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 25:
Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him,Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’
A homily followed, with general intercessions asking for strength and guidance, and asking a blessing on ‘all who are marginalized and lonely; all who are in pain because of our nation’s policies.
At the conclusion of the thirty minute service, many left St Patrick’s and joined the Walk for Refugees at the State Library, including Bishop Long, where a number of eminent speakers from the world of politics and religion spoke out in defence of refugees, calling on the Australian government to end offshore processing of claims for asylum, to end mandatory detention and to be more generous in providing resettlement and permanent protection to many more refugees.
Photos: Peter Byrne
Source: Catholic News