‘Voice of compassion’: Aussie churchgoers farewell Pope
Maeve Bannister |
Australian Catholics have gathered to commemorate the life of Pope Francis at the first local services since his funeral, remembering him as a beacon of light for a world shrouded in darkness.
The funeral for Pope Francis was held at the Vatican in Rome on Saturday, attended by some 250,000 people including world leaders and royals.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world watched the service on television and online.
On Sunday, churches across Australia held special masses honouring the late Holy Father.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta, led by Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen, held a solemn mass for the repose of the Pope’s soul.
As parishioners gathered, they could not help but feel a sense of great grief, sadness and uncertainty at the loss of Pope Francis, Bishop Long said in his homily.
“He has been an unexpected gift from God for the church and the world,” he said.
“He has shone as a beacon of light for a world shrouded in the darkness of war, violence, hatred, oppression and dehumanisation.”
As a former refugee who arrived in Australia from Vietnam by boat in 1981, Bishop Long reflected on Pope Francis’s constant concern for migrants and refugees.
“He was the voice of compassion, the champion of human dignity and the embodiment of God’s boundless mercy,” Bishop Long said.
A memorial mass for Pope Francis was also celebrated at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Adelaide.
Archbishop Patrick O’Regan thanked the Pope for being someone who “kissed the leper, washed the feet of prisoners, welcomed migrants and loved the church even when she failed”.
“He was a voice for the voiceless and a bridge builder across cultures, religions and ideologies,” Archbishop O’Regan said.
“We honour a man who dared to lead not with fear but with hope.”
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli will lead the celebration of a solemn pontifical mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday afternoon.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, who was in Rome for the funeral, said the ceremony was solemn and dignified.
“Central to it all was the theme of mercy: that in Jesus we see the face of the father’s mercy and thus come to understand not only the depths of God’s love for us but also the nature of our vocation as Christians,” he said.
A conclave to elect the new Pope is expected to start in Rome in 10 days.
Australian Catholics also had the opportunity to pray for the cardinals meeting to prepare for the conclave, Archbishop Costelloe said.
“The days following the death of Pope Francis have been inspiring, uplifting, sorrowful and hope-filled,” he said.
AAP
