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Parramatta Bishop Anthony Fisher appointed Archbishop of Sydney
By Vanessa Watson
The Archbishop-elect of Sydney Anthony Fisher has used his first address to call for harmony in the wake of the counter-terrorism raids. The outgoing Bishop of Parramatta Anthony Fisher said we live in "troubled times" and called on "people of faith" to show calm, restraint and wisdom. "Right now in Sydney we face some big issues about harmony," Fr Fisher said. "That's an issue right around the world at the moment. "As a religious leader though I think people of faith have something very important to do and to say at the moment. [These are] troubled times in our world and even in our own city. We need to bring some calm and some restraint and some wisdom at this time. "The arrests yesterday were a matter for the law enforcement authorities and the courts and I have great confidence in them." In response to a question about yesterday's protests in Lakemba against Sydney's counter-terrorism arrests, the Archbishop-elect - who grew up at Lakemba - said he hoped members of the Muslim community did not feel alienated from the wider community. "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. I don't want anyone feeling that they are being unreasonably targeted at the moment and in any way profiled. "We live together as neighbours, as friends, as work colleagues." The Archbishop-elect, who is 20 years younger than his predecessor Cardinal George Pell, said he was "deeply honoured" by his appointment. He will take up his new role within the next two months. "I'm deeply honoured by the appointment and by Pope Francis' expression of confidence in me," he said. Father Fisher thanked the community for its support during his time in Parramatta. "I've loved being the shepherd of this flock, there's some grief at leaving," he said. He also spoke of the need for the Catholic church to do more to protect children in the future against abuse, in light of the ongoing Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. He said the Catholic church in Australia was going through a "period of public scrutiny and public examination" due to the Royal Commission's revelations of the historical abuse of children in the church's care. He described the stories of the survivors of abuse, including those institutionalised in Parramatta, as "harrowing". "I'm ashamed and I'm sorry for where we've failed you in the past, the church can do better," he said. "We want to make sure every child is safe and cherished going forward." He hoped the church would emerge from this period "regenerated" and as having "restored people's confidence in the church" - in the eyes of people inside and outside the church. "I'd ask all Catholics but also all people of good will to pray for me at this time that I really be a good shepherd after the heart of Jesus Christ." After his speech, students from Catherine McAuley Westmead, Parramatta Marist High School, St Patrick's Primary School Parramatta and Wollemi College Werrington took selfies with the outgoing bishop. Also at the service were Bishop Fisher's elderly parents, Colin and Gloria, who told the Sun they were extremely proud of their son. "We are absolutely thrilled," Mrs Fisher said. "And we're absolutely behind him all the way." "I'm proud - I know he can do the job," Mr Fisher said.
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