This service was held in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney on Sunday 11th September. Proceedings began with the digiridoo played by William Barton, who led the procession of interfaith leaders from the Abrahamic faiths up the aisle to the Sanctuary.
After the acknowledgement to Country, the Dean of the Cathedral, Fr. Paul Hilder welcomed the Governor of NSW, the families of the Australian victims lost on that fateful day, the American Consul General, the former Australian Consul General in New York, the Premier and other members of the NSW Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the leaders and other members of the interfaith family in Australia, members of the Defence Force, members of the Fire Brigade and the rest of the congregation.
After remarks made by the American Consul General and the former Australian Consul General in New York the congregation was invited to silent prayer and reflection while the names of the Australians who had lost their lives were read. Candles were lit for each person while church bells pealed.
A musical interlude with David Campbell singing Bring Him Home from the musical Les Miserables was followed by the remarks and prayers from the leaders of the three Abrahamic Faiths – Cardinal Pell , Sheikh Dr Mohammed Anas from the Zetland Mosque in Sydney and Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence from the Great Synagogue in Sydney.
Cardinal Pell and his able staff must be congratulated for this well-planned, poignant service.
For photos and excerpts from the remarks by the leaders, please visit the following websites -
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations - Click on 'News' for article and link to video recording of the event.
Jewish Online News from Australia and New Zealand - 9/11 Remembered in Sydney