REMARKS FOR OPENING OF MACARTHUR MEMORIAL PARK MACARTHUR MEMORIAL PARK, VARROVILLE, 7 APRIL 2025
Dharawal Elders Uncle Edward and Auntie Lisa;
Excellent Bishops of the Maronite and Latin Catholics, of the Greek and Antiochean Orthodox, and leaders of the other Christian churches; Rabbis and other Jewish leaders; Grand Mufti, Sheikhs and other Islamic leaders; and leaders of other faith traditions;
Premier Minns, Minister Kamper, with Honorable MPs; Mayor Lound; departmental and consular officials; and other civic dignitaries;
Danny Casey, Lauren Hardgrove and others from Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria, Michael Easson of All Faiths Catholic Land Manager, Andrew Mills and David Raper from Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW; friends from all faith traditions, ladies and gentlemen:
“Remember man that dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return”—so Adam is told at the beginning of the Bible, after he and his wife bring a terrible judgment upon themselves and all humanity (Gen 3:19). It is with these words that the heads of Catholics are anointed with ashes at the beginning of Lent. In the Anglican burial service it is likewise said: “We therefore commit this body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.” Jews in their Kel Maleh Rachamim (Prayer of Mercy) and Muslims in their du’a (Prayer of Intercession) likewise pray that God’s mercy, peace, eternal rest and life be granted to one whose earthenware body is being returned to the dust.
For vulnerability to death and return to the earth unites all human beings, whatever they believe, and so I’m especially pleased to join religious and civic leaders for the opening of this new Macarthur Memorial Park. It marks a new stage in the collaboration between Catholic Cemeteriesand the various faith communities of Sydney and beyond, and between “Church and state”. People of different faith traditions should respect each other, be dialogue partners, good neighbours and friends to each other. But this is most real and inspiring when people see us actually doing things together, things that testify to the fact that, whatever our differences, we have far more in common in our humanity and faith: all are children of Adam subject to death, all give glory to the Creator who is Lord of Life, all are charged with serving the needs of the community. One such act of service which is the “core business” of religions is honouring the bodies of the dead with prayer and treasuring their memories thereafter.
The beauty of this sanctuary, with its idyllic backdrop, elegant design and masterly construction, testifies to the seriousness with which we take this task. It has not been easy; more than once the continued offering of burial sites by faith groups seemed to be seriously threatened. Yet thanks to the perseverance of many, and the recognition by our civic leaders, along with our religious ones, of the importance of honouring our dead, we are ready to offer a grand new cemetery to our community at last. I salute our Premier and his government for their part in this.
In the Catholic tradition, burying the dead is one of the seven “corporal works of mercy”, and praying for the dead one of the seven “spiritual works of mercy”. These “charitable works” are service we give one another out of love of God and neighbour. But respectful and prayerful burial is not unique to Catholics or Christians: it matters deeply to the three great Abrahamic faiths as well as many others. Even unbelievers regard ceremonial burial and care of cemeteries as a matter of justice to the dead and mercy to those who grieve them, as something edifying, symbolic and unifying. And so, for a century and a half now the Catholic Church has been trusted to bury the dead and care for the graves of all comers. By the grace of God and the tireless efforts of all involved in the development of this Memorial Park that service with now be extended to South-West Sydney and beyond. I thank you all for your friendship and support in making this happen. And I conclude with a text of hope and promise from the Prophet Ezekiel:
In the Valley of Bones the Lord said to me: “Son of man, can these bones yet live?” And I answered, “Only you know Lord.” And the Lord said to me: “Prophesy to these bones and say to them: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people; and bring you home. I will breathe my own Spirit into you, and you shall live.” (Ezek 37:1-14)
