The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
23 November 2003
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Sydney welcomes its newest cardinal
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Sydney welcomes its newest cardinal
Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, celebrates Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in the service honouring his elevation to cardinal
THE reception of Cardinal George Pell at St Mary’s Cathedral brought to a conclusion the wonderful period of celebration for the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s election, Cardinal Edward Cassidy told the cathedral congregation.
The presence in Romeof cardinals, bishops and clergy with pilgrims from so many nations emphasised the special place the Bishop of Rome has in the worldwide family of the Catholic Church, he said.
Cardinal Cassidy, who spent almost 50 years in the service of the Holy See, said the Successor of Peter has the task of being both a sign and a source of unity in the Church.
“As one looked around the cardinals gathered in St Peter’s Square those being newly admitted [including Cardinal Pell] to the College of Cardinals and those from previous consistories, this unity around the Pope was strikingly evident,” he said.
“The new cardinals were there representing local churches, yet they and all of us there present were members of the one Church of Christ.”
Cardinal Pell was warmly welcomed back officially by about 1000 clergy, dignitaries and laity at the cathedral at a liturgical reception - consisting of Evening Prayer and Eucharist - on the evening of Tuesday, November 11.
The Governor, Prof Marie Bashir, and her husband, Sir Nicholas Shehadie, were present with civic leaders including the Speaker of the House John Aquilina, Treasurer Michael Egan and Minister for Local Government Tony Kelly.
Robert McLelland, the Federal shadow Attorney-General, represented Opposition Leader Simon Crean.
Representatives from the major Christian faiths, including the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, and the Moderator of the Uniting Church, the Rev Alistair Christie, took part in the welcome.
They also remained for the Evening Prayer of the Feast of St Martins of Tours, bishop, which preceded Mass for the Pope.
Cardinal Cassidy, one of the now three Australian cardinals (including Cardinal Edward Clancy and Cardinal Pell), delivered the homily during which he enjoined the congregation to gives thanks to God for the Pope, the new cardinals and, in particular, Cardinal George Pell.
He told the congregation that authority is not something that “our world holds in great respect today, whether that authority is exercised in the home, in society or in the Church”.
“Yet more and more, also among other Christian communities, the value of such authority is being appreciated as a source of unity and sound teaching in a diverse, secularised and often divided world,” he said.
“During those days in Rome, I - and I am sure many others - gave thanks to God not only for Pope John Paul II but the papacy, a true gift that Our Lord Jesus Christ has left to the Church.”
Cardinal Cassidy said: “We can be proud of our Holy Father, of our Cardinal and of our saints.”
Cardinal Pell thanked the congregation for the welcome.
He particularly thanked the inter-faith representatives and said he intended to strengthen ecumenical relations.
“Friendship, common prayer, dialogue, co-operation between different Christian Churches is the future of life in Sydney,” he said.
“As archbishop, now cardinal, I promise to work to maintain these practices and spirit. I am deeply grateful for the presence of Church leaders tonight, and pray God will bless our activities and communities.”
Cardinal Pell received warm applause from the congregation when he left the cathedral preceded by clergy and representatives of ethnic communities.