Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – In the morning hours of July 17, at the Government House in Sydney, there was a Welcoming Ceremony held for the Holy Father Benedict XVI, attended by the civil and religious authorities of Australia. The Pope, who arrived on Sunday in Australia and has spent a few quiet days of rest in the country, thanked those concerned for their hospitality and warm reception and recalled the main purpose of his trip to the country: the 23rd World Youth Day.
He said: “Some might ask what motivates thousands of young people to undertake what is for many a long and demanding journey in order to participate in an event of this kind. Ever since the first World Youth Day in 1986, it has been evident that vast numbers of young people appreciate the opportunity to come together to deepen their faith in Christ and to share with one another a joyful experience of communion in his Church. They long to hear the word of God, and to learn more about their Christian faith. They are eager to take part in an event which brings into focus the high ideals that inspire them, and they return home filled with hope and renewed in their resolve to contribute to the building of a better world. For me it is a joy to be with them, to pray with them and to celebrate the Eucharist with them. World Youth Day fills me with confidence for the future of the Church and the future of our world.”
Recalling the history of the continent, the Holy Father highlighted that “the Church in Australia, as well as being the youngest of any continent, is also one of the most cosmopolitan.” The first European settlement there in the late eighteenth century, is a witness to the fact that the country has welcomed immigrants from Europe and from every part of the world. “Yet for thousands of years before the arrival of Western settlers, the sole inhabitants of the land were indigenous peoples, the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders,” the Pope said. He later recalled that thanks to the “the Australian Government’s courageous decision to acknowledge the injustices committed against the indigenous peoples in the past concrete steps are now being taken to achieve reconciliation based on mutual respect.” In seeking to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australian in all areas and through this example of reconciliation, they offer a sign of “hope to peoples all over the world who long to see their rights affirmed and their contribution to society acknowledged and promoted.”
After recalling the contribution made by Catholics in this land, in the building up of the nation, especially in the areas of education and healthcare, Benedict XVI named the Australian Blessed Sister Mary MacKillop: “her perseverance in the face of adversity, her plea for justice on behalf of those unfairly treated and her practical example of holiness have become a source of inspiration for all Australians.” In today’s more secular environment, the Catholic community continues to make an important contribution to national life, not only through education and healthcare, “but especially by highlighting the spiritual dimension of the questions that feature prominently in contemporary debate.”
Thousands of youth are visiting Australia during these days and therefore, it is appropriate to reflect upon the kind of world we are handing on to future generations, the Pope said. “The wonder of God’s creation reminds us of the need to protect the environment and to exercise responsible stewardship of the goods of the earth,” the Pontiff said, congratulating Australia on its efforts in this respect. “Likewise with regard to the human environment, this country has generously supported international peace-keeping operations, contributing to conflict resolution in the Pacific, in South-East Asia and elsewhere. Owing to the many religious traditions represented in Australia, this is particularly fertile ground for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.”
In concluding his address, the Pope revisited the principle motive of his visit: “I am here to meet the young, from Australia and from all over the world, and to pray for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all those taking part in our celebrations... I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring spiritual renewal to this land, to the Australian people, to the Church throughout Oceania and indeed to the ends of the earth. Young people today face a bewildering variety of life-choices, so that they sometimes find it hard to know how best to channel their idealism and their energy. It is the Spirit who gives the wisdom to discern the right path and the courage to follow it.”
After the ceremony, the Holy Father visited the "Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel" in Sydney, which holds the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the first Australian Blessed, co-foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph. There, he said a prayer and met with about one hundred Sisters of this Congregation. He later paid a courtesy visit to the Governor General of Australia and Representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Gen. Michael Jeffrey, in the Drawing Room of the Admiralty House in Sydney, where he also held a brief discussion with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2008)
