On the 22nd May 2006, an ecumenical service of prayer and thanksgiving was held at St. Stephen Uniting Church opposite NSW Parliament House to celebrate 150 years of responsible government in New South Wales. This service opened to the public was attended by His Eminence Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney and the Venerable Dr Geoffrey Reverend Huary who represented the Most Reverend Dr Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Sydney.
Starting with the Australian National Anthem, a call to worship was soon followed where members of the congregation gave thanks to God for one hundred and fifty years of responsible government in New South Wales.
Two bible reading was soon followed. The first read by the Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, the Honourable Justice J.J. Spigelman AC was taken out from Psalm 67: “May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah.”
The second reading was given by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly the Honourable John Aquilina MP, which was taken out from Roman 12: 2-18. Starting from Roman 12: 2 he read: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
A hymn followed afterwards and Cardinal Pell delivered the sermon. “With around 70% of Australians professing to be Christians, Christians should voice their opinion and be an inspiration to society”, the Cardinal said.
Defending marriage after comments were made by a senior figure he stated: “Marriage was a union between a man and a woman. In no other religion was marriage ever defined as a woman marrying a woman. There was an intergenerational dividend in marriage, which should be preserved.”
Continuing on, the Cardinal in the sermon outlined what a responsible government must do in society stating: “We were answerable to God, the central proposition was love, we must explicitly reject hatred, the judiciary must curb a thirst for revenge, we must be patient for suffering rather then eliminate the sufferer, we must have compassion for those who were persecuted and we must exalt peace and not war.”
Although some were not necessarily the views of a secular society, he highlighted the important role of all Christian churches stating: “Australian churches were like mighty water pouring through this dry continent.”
When he concluded, Reverend Huard led the congregation in prayer giving thanks for a responsible government praying for state parliament. Two prayers were also conducted one for the prayer for New South Wales and a dedication prayer.
The ecumenical service was a part of a list of celebratory events marking the 150th Anniversary of a responsible government in NSW parliament.