Queensland’s 150th anniversary celebrations of Church and state embraced inter-faith harmony last weekend.

About 500 people attended the Q150 Multi-faith Thanksgiving Celebration at Brisbane’s City Hall on Sunday.

It involved various faith communities and commemorated the 150th anniversaries of the state of Queensland and the Catholic and Anglican dioceses of Brisbane.

The celebration was a joint project of the Brisbane Roman Catholic Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations, the Multi-Faith Centre (Griffith University) and the Asia Pacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue (Australian Catholic University).

Representatives of the indigenous, Hindu, Jewish, Daoist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Baha’i and Sufi traditions took part.

Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan of Brisbane, who is Queensland Churches Together president, delivered the Christian prayer during a multi-faith prayer ceremony.

He quoted Scripture and prayed, “Loving God, we thank you for the many blessings you have showered on your people in this State of Queensland.

“… We pray that we may work together to build a society of justice and truth which respects the dignity of all the people of Queensland and provides opportunities for all to develop their true potential.

“We pray that, by joining together in events such as today’s celebration, we may build a culture where diversity is celebrated and respected and people of all beliefs are welcomed.

“We ask our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

In the lead-up to the celebration, Brisbane Roman Catholic Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations executive officer Margaret Naylon said: “As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Queensland it is important to recognise the contributions of the many groups that are part of our society.

“Religious traditions provide a moral and ethical basis on which to build society and the members of such traditions are often involved in community building and support, such as education, health and caring for the aged,” she said.

“These are vital to the wellbeing of all people. Queensland is fortunate in having people from a wide range of religious traditions and these add richness to our state.”

The celebration included performances by various faith groups.


Released by The Catholic Leader

August 23, 2009