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Bishop Anthony Fisher calls for harmony ...
By Cathy Morris
Bishop Anthony Fisher calls for harmony in first address as archbishop of Sydney THE newly appointed Catholic Archbishop of Sydney wants Australians to set an example to the rest of the world by showing how different nationalities can live together in peace following the anti-terror raids yesterday. Bishop of Parramatta Anthony Fisher, who grew up in Lakemba, said Australians were “living in troubled times” and the Catholic Church had a role to play in getting the message out. He was speaking at a press conference in Parramatta this morning to announce his new appointment as Archbishop of Sydney taking over from Cardinal George Pell who has taken up a senior role overseeing reform of the Vatican’s finances in Rome. “Right now we face in Sydney some big questions about harmony as a city about coexistence and peace and friendship, that’s an issue right around the world,” Bishop Fisher said. “I hope here in Sydney we’re going to be able to give the world a good example.” Bishop Fisher said he has asked to meet with Muslim leaders to discuss current events. “I’d like to hear from them what they’re feeling at the moment and in what ways we can do and say some things together that will move us forward and a more peaceful, more harmonious community.” Bishop Fisher said he did not want people from the Muslim community to feel they were being unreasonably targeted. “If people there are feeling alienated at the moment we’ve got to reach out to them and assure them that they are our fellow citizens and we care about them,” he said. Bishop Fisher said he represented the face of modern Australia. His family came from four different continents; Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia. He also said the Catholic Church was the “most multinational in the world”. “Every nation on earth is represented there and we are a people who are united by this faith and we can demonstrate to the world that people of many different back grounds, histories, ethnicity groups, nationalities can live as friends, as colleagues and neighbours,” he said. “I think Australia needs to recommit to that right now and the church needs to play its part in getting that message out to the community. “We want to live in a situation of harmony where innocent people are safe and where neighbours are true neighbours to each other.” Bishop Fisher also paid tribute to his predecessor Cardinal Pell, but said the church would move forward in a different direction under his leadership. He acknowledged the impact sexual and physical abuse had on the community. “We are ashamed, we are changing, we are going to do better in the future,” he said. “We really care about those survivors of abuse, about their healing and justice for them and we want to make sure every child is safe and cherished going forward. “I really mean that and I think people want to know we mean it.” Bishop Fisher’s proud parents Gloria and Colin Fisher were among those gathered at the announcement today. “He’s got a hard job ahead of him, we are behind him all the way,” Mrs Fisher said of her oldest son. Mr Fisher said: “We are proud of him and we are happy and know he’ll do a good job.” Bishop Fisher said the first thing he planned to do in his new role was pray. “Frankly, this is a big role for me for anybody and I need God’s help and the help of the Christian community,” he said. A date has yet to be announced for Bishop Fisher’s installation as the Archbishop of Sydney.
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