Unity in adversity

Jesus Christ himself spelt out the two great Christian commandments, love of God and love of neighbour. The golden rule "love your neighbour as yourself" has entered the Australian soul. We now call it the right to a fair go. And Jesus of Nazareth defined his neighbour as a foreigner, from a race his people detested.

Few communities had the brutal origins of the colony of New South Wales. But even fewer countries have built such a wonderful way of life for their people in one hundred and then two hundred years.

We Australians have come here from many nations and religions, sometimes traditional enemies. Bad mistakes were made as the original inhabitants were dispossessed, often carelessly, sometimes brutally. It was adversity more than prosperity that has made us what we are; the struggle to open up the land, to educate children, to find and hold a job, to survive droughts, floods, war and depression.

Australia has been good to us. We have prospered, we have protected our different traditions.We belong together with these differences-not despite them. In these new and challenging times-we should clearly acknowledge this. All Australians continue to deserve a fair go.

Many experts tell us September 11 has changed our world. They may be right.Certainly we face a long, hard war against a terrorism inspired by fanatics who want to re-ignite ancient enmities. But new external challenges can be surmounted by strength at home.

We Catholics, deriving from many nations, are proud and grateful Australians. We reject any notions of racial and religious war. We commit ourselves once again to respect the ancient rule of law, to celebrate and protect legitimate diversity, to pursue truth and faith, to foster generosity and compassion, to practise good will towards all our fellow Australians, whatever their race or beliefs.

May Almighty God, Lord of all Creation, compassionate and merciful, preserve us in this resolution and keep us in this path.

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