Cardinal Pell to be welcomed back to Sydney

By Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese

10 November 2003

Cardinal Pell will be officially welcomed to St Mary’s Cathedral following his elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals late last month in Rome and celebrate Mass during a ceremony this Tuesday 11 November 2003 at 7.30pm.

Cardinal Pell will be received at the doors of St Mary’s Cathedral by senior clergy of the Archdiocese who will present the Cardinal with a crucifix to kiss, and holy water as a reminder of baptism. They will then process with Cardinal Pell to the sanctuary. Evening Prayer will then commence.

Her Excellency, The Governor Professor Marie Bashir AC and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC will be in attendance.

Several representatives of other Christian churches and communities will join in welcoming Cardinal Pell and at Evening Prayer.

• Dr Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney;
• Rev. Alistair Christie, Moderator, NSW Synod of Uniting Church;
• Archpriest Nicholas Mansour, representing Archbishop Baliozian, Armenian Apostolic Church;
• Rev. Andrew Ball, Churches of Christ;
• Rev. Fr Thomas Varghese and Dr Kurinan Matthew, St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church;
• Mor Malatius Malki Malki accompanied by Fr Zitoun, Syrian Orthodox Church;
• and Major David Godkin, representing Liuet Col. Ray Wilson, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army.

After Evening Prayer, as the Cardinal and some of the visitors leave the sanctuary preparations begin for the celebration of the Eucharist. Having vested for Mass the Cardinal returns to the sanctuary for Mass.

Civic and political leaders will also be in attendance at the celebration for Cardinal Pell, including:

• Mr Robert McLelland MP – Shadow Attorney General (Federal) and Mrs Michelle McLelland, representing The Hon Simon Crean, Leader of the Federal Opposition;
• The Hon Michael Egan MLC, Treasurer of NSW;
• The Hon John Aquilina MP, Speaker of the House;
• The Hon Tony Kelly MLC and Mrs Anne Kelly;
• Mr Gary Sargent, Senior Housing Adviser representing The Hon Carl Scully, Minister for Housing.

Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney - 10 November 2003