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Archbishop Pell
By Chris Hook
Up to 1,000 young people gathered at Sydney University’s Great Hall to give Archbishop Pell a rapturous welcome just days after his installation.
Archbishop
Pell thanked the crowd for their welcome, and said: “I’m here to work for you, but equally I’m here to work with you.
“I believe that in the Catholic community we have something true, beautiful and useful for
this life and for eternity,” Archbishop Pell said.
Archbishop Pell called upon young people to share the faith with others.
“Other young people need your witness. Christ is the most remarkable person
in history,” he said.
“Pray for those giving you a hard time.
“If they are so intimidated by us it is usually a sign they fear we might have the truth. Secure, committed unbelievers usually leave us
alone.”
The event also marked the end of the Carnivale Christi, the inaugural ecumenical Christian arts festival initiated by the Sydney University Catholic student group, the Society of St Peter.
The
director of the festival, Anthony McCarthy, praised the turnout to welcome Archbishop Pell.
“We were very happy with the day,” he said. “It was a great welcome for His Grace.”
Mr McCarthy said the
organisers were pleased overall with the first Carnivale Christi.
More than 90 per cent of available tickets for all events were sold.
And the festival highlight, The Comedian, performed by Life
Theatre, sold out completely.
“The festival just seemed to gather momentum,” Mr McCarthy said.
“It was a great success for all of those involved.”
He said there was a “tremendous display of
interest” from other Christian churches.
Mr McCarthy said it had been a big task, but organisers would attempt to repeat the event next year.
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