Lawyers have role to play in pursuit of peace

Sydney
9 February 2003

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Lawyers have role to play in pursuit of peace - Nuncio

Archbishop George Pell and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Francesco Canalini, greet members of the legal fraternity after the annual Red Mass at St Mary's Cathedral.

By Marilyn Rodrigues

Catholic lawyers and lawmakers will make a "remarkable contribution" to peace if they remember that the law they serve is both human and divine, the Apostolic Nuncio in Australia, Archbishop Francesco Canalini, said at the Red Mass in St Mary's Cathedral on Monday.

The Mass marked the start of the law year.

Archbishop Canalini urged the congregation to be inspired by the example of the Catholic lawyer and martyr, St Thomas More, whose life "is truly an inspiring example for all who are called to serve humanity and society in the civic and political sphere". "The eloquent testimony which he gave both in his life and by his death is as timely as ever at the present moment, which presents crucial challenges to the consciences of everyone involved in the field of governance," he said in his homily.

Archbishop Canalini said that Christians who work in the field of law must be professionally competent while bearing in mind the "transcendental, the divine beginning and end into which their activity fits".

The law they serve is both human and divine he said, and therefore in civil society legislation and decision making cannot run counter to the moral law.

"If you reflect that while exercising or participating in one of the essential functions of the state you are also representatives of the Supreme Legislator, then you will easily make the connection between law and the spirit of justice and, above all, of love for every person," he said.

"In this way you will make a remarkable contribution to peace and social tranquillity."

The Red Mass - so called because of the vestments and robes that the priests and bishops, judges and counsel, wear in honour of the apostles at Pentecost - is an annual event organised by the St Thomas More Society, the guild of Catholic lawyers.

Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop George Pell, and Archbishop Canalini.