St Mary’s Cathedral Embraces all in Times of Crisis

This year we have seen unfortunate tragedies both close to home and abroad. The shootings in New Zealand and bombings in Sri Lanka have been among the few that have shaken up the international community.

Despite these difficult times, our Cathedral is offered to embrace people of all faiths and backgrounds, to join us in prayer and to gather in peace and solidarity.

“To stand in solidarity is to stand on something solid, that something solid is our insistence on our common humanity.” said Archbishop Fisher.

Following the Shootings in New Zealand

The Archbishop welcomed Australia’s Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed and Prime Minister Scott Morrison to the remembrance ceremony for those who lost their lives and to pray for the injured in the Christchurch shootings.

The Grand Mufti thanked the Archbishop and all the attendees for supporting the Muslim community in New Zealand and Australia at a “most difficult time” and to help foster healing from “torrents of pain”.

“Whether you are Muslim or Christian or Jewish or any other faith group, as long as you live in Australia, as long as you are part of this family, nothing will divide us.” he said.

Also in attendance were Jewish, Hindu, Baha’i, Melkite, Coptic Orthodox and Anglican leaders plus civic leaders including Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian, Governor of NSW David Hurley, former NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley, and the Consul General for New Zealand Bill Dobbie.

Following the Bombings in Sri Lanka

Sydney’s Sri Lankan community, as well as members of different faith communities including Buddhists, Hindus and representatives from the Ba’hai and Islamic communities, thousands gathered together on Friday 26 April to pray for the victims of the Sri Lankan Church Bombings.

NSW Sri Lankan chaplain Fr Chaminda Wanigasena said that this gathering at the Cathedral was a “very sombre occasion” after a “moment of crisis”.