Archbishop’s Homily for the Opening of the Federal Parliamentary Year

Media Release

The Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Christopher Prowse, delivered a Homily at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, this morning marking the Opening of the Federal Parliamentary Year.

In attendance were the Prime Minister, Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and the Opposition Leader, Hon Bill Shorten MP.

Archbishop Prowse spoke about “the Golden Rule” which states, “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you”.

“In a world of galloping diversity, to find the gold nugget of a universal solidarity ethic, is indeed, a Eureka moment!” the Archbishop said.

“Religious fundamentalism of any kind, is a breeding ground for unspeakable violence – it is the total absence of the Golden Rule. But when embraced, the Golden Rule acts as the glue of fraternal solidarity in communities. It can breed invincible bridges of justice and mercy”.

The Archbishop ended in prayer quoting from one of Australia’s great Christian poets, James McAuley.

“Incarnate word,
In whom all nature lives,
Cast flame upon the earth:
raise up contemplatives among us,
those who walk within the fire of ceaseless prayer, impetuous desire.
Set pools of silence in this thirsty land.”

Please find here Archbishop Prowse’s homily, “The Golden Rule – A Solidarity Ethic We Can All Share”.