Bishop delivers strong message

Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett at the Good Friday service at St Carthage’s Cathedral.

Jacklyn Wagner

THE FAITHFUL filled churches across the region yesterday to attend Good Friday services.

Catholic Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, with seven priests and six seminarians attending the altar, celebrated the Good Friday liturgy at St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, where he delivered his Easter message to parishioners in attendance.

During his sermon the bishop said it was a coincidence worth noting that Anzac Day this year fell on Easter Monday.

“Tens of thousands of Australian soldiers gave their lives for an idea that ripped their imagination,” Bishop Jarrett said.

Many of the soldiers who fought in the great wars were deeply committed to the Christian faith, he said.

He also used the occasion to speak out against abortion, saying one in four babies conceived in Australia were “sentenced to death before they were born”.

Modern society had developed a ”darker death wish” and an “inclination toward death rather than life”, the Bishop said.

He also spoke of the church’s strong opposition to euthanasia and said the year ahead would see much political lobbying to make it lawful.

The bishop’s message would have found strong agreement with firm euthanasia opponent, Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce, who was in attendance with his wife, Natalie, and their four daughters.

The senator is holidaying with his family at Lennox Head.

Good Friday is a significant day on the Christian calendar and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Tomorrow churchgoers will again attend services to mark Easter Sunday, the day on which it is said Jesus rose from the dead.