A Place for All

This morning we gathered at St Michael’s Lane Cove to offer mass for the life of Aura Lilia Blanco de Cocunubo the mother of a dear friend Sophie with her husband Anthony, his family and members of our Latino Australian family including the English teacher who brought them together – she from a Hindu background.

Father Geoffrey broke with tradition and after welcoming us, he asked us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christchurch, New Zealand, who believe in the same God, who on Friday who were only doing what we were doing today – praying to God in the way we understand. This occurs in Churches, Mosques, Temples and Synagogues across Australasia and the world. I was reminded that it could have been us at our Sabbath prayer – no-longer unthinkable!

Today the leaders of all the great religions in Australia gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney as a sign of tolerance and solidarity. They were joined by our political leaders too. What is important that they seized the moment and reacted accordingly.

In 2010-2011 I lived in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia is the largest Islamic nation in the world by population. Over 85% of the population are Muslim and about 9.9% Christian. Whenever I was in Jakarta, I had 5 choices of Catholic masses in English on Saturday nights and Sundays. I never felt frightened to say what I was or go to Church.  

I saw Islam is a religion of love. I listen and read what the Grand Mufti preached and said. He was a man who taught tolerance and love, he clearly loved his people and all our children. In 2010 he took the President with him to Christmas Mass to the strong condemnation of his critics. He responded by announcing he would further celebrate Christmas and saying he found over 200 references clearly to Christ in the Koran – who could say to the Grand Mufti he was wrong! His real message was one of tolerance and love. He lived and taught the motto of Indonesia “Unity in Diversity”.

This was a spirit which existed also outside Jakarta. I remember being in East Kalimantan and being told we needed to recruit 20 local people. I went with our Indonesian speaking chief engineer to meet the local Iman who acted as our source of local staff. I asked about non-Muslims being hired. I was advised in this part of the country Christians were 15% of the population and he had agreed with Priest of the 20 staff we needed 4 would be Christian – one from each village. 

Australia and New Zealand are joined at the hip, so to speak, by history, geography, culture and shared values. We are family – fierce rivals in many sports but family none the less. Whilst the whole massacre / tragedy which occurred on Friday is hard to comprehend what makes it more unrealistic is that the hate crime was conducted by an Australian raised in a country town.

New Zealand has long prided itself on a culture of acceptance, I only hope that this continues on both sides of the Tasman Sea.

I am also hopeful that in Australia and New Zealand we can live in peace and acceptance, finding a safe place for all within our respective countries.

Paul Raftery