The annual ecumenical prayer service to mark the opening of the 2025 Parliamentary Year was held yesterday at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra. Source: Catholic Voice.
Political leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and Governor-General Samantha Mostyn, gathered to pray for guidance in the year ahead.
The theme of hope united parishioners, military personnel and diplomats and ecumenical leaders, including those from the Presbyterian, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Uniting Church and Baptist communities, in prayer for those who share in governing Australia.
Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse presided over the service. Anglican Assistant Bishop Reverend Vanessa Bennett delivered the sermon, and said the start of a new year is often associated with hope.
“Those of you in the federal Government have the amazing privilege and responsibility of working towards those hopes and dreams that will help us flourish as a nation,” she said.
“Hope is vital to the human condition and is a far more positive motivator than fear. Hope is vital for human flourishing. Hope motivates people to act with a positive purpose. Hope enables people to persevere through the most difficult of circumstances.”
Reverend Bennett said hope was more than wishful thinking and optimism.
“The biblical understanding of hope encapsulates a certainty for the future,” she explained.
“It is a hope for the future, but also a hope which can sustain and motivate us here and now through the uncertainties and difficulties of life.”
Reverend Bennett said the sure and certain hope of eternal life enabled us to press on “doing good rather than evil, being compassionate rather than hateful, pursuing peace rather than violence.”
“As you begin a new parliamentary year and look to the election with all its hopes and possibilities, may you tap into the sure and certain hope that Christ offers and may it motivate and guide you in the days, months and year ahead,” she said.
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Hope and unity mark opening of 2025 Parliamentary Year at Ecumenical Service (By Veronika Cox, Catholic Voice)
