National Police Remembrance Day
+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
7 Oct 2007
We tend to take our police for granted. Despite some coverage in the media, unfortunately we scarcely notice the risks they are forced to take regularly and the fact that each year some are killed protecting us. This is a mistake.
Nine days ago relatives, friends and officers attended the National Police Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony in the Sydney Domain, before marching to St. Mary’s Cathedral where the Christian Churches combined for an ecumenical service. The cathedral provided a beautiful setting for the ceremonial and the music of the Scottish pipes.
Thank God, the rule of law reigns in nearly all parts of Australia and the criminally strong are not able to oppress the weak and defenceless. But this comparative peace only prevails because of the decency of public opinion, of the limits set by public disapproval and the hard work of the police. It is a constant struggle.
St. Michael the archangel makes an appropriate patron for the police force. Mentioned twice in the Jewish scriptures and twice in the Christian scriptures, Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, was the leader of the forces of goodness in their heavenly struggle against Lucifer and his fallen angels, the forces of evil. He is usually portrayed with a sword fighting a dragon and sometimes confused with St. George, no angel, who usually fights his dragon from a horse.
Traditionally St. Michael has also been the patron of Christian armies and the protector of believers at the hour of death against the spirit of evil, the temptation to despair and abandon belief or give in to hate and bitterness. St. Michael sends out the right signals for all in the police force.
Christians believe that ultimately life is not crazy or capricious, despite the fluky misadventures which occur in everyday life. We believe that the scales of justice will balance out in eternity; in fact that the one true God, kind, just and strong will ensure this proper balance.
In other words Christians not only believe that the 249 Police Force officers who have died in New South Wales since 1803 should have their memories revered, but that God will reward them for their sacrifices. God is not cruel and vengeful, but the scales must balance.
This should be a consolation to the families of deceased officers, to the proud spouses and children who attend the memorial services.
Earlier generations enjoyed a stronger conviction about the reality of God’s justice.
Constable Joseph Luker was bashed to death in Sydney Town in 1803, investigating a robbery near Mary Breeze’s brothel in Phillip Street.
Friends and family left this message on his tombstone to his unconvicted killers.
“My midnight vigils are no more, Cold Sleep and Peace succeed …… But when my murderers appear, before Jehovah’s throne, Mine will be to vanquish there, And theirs t’ endure alone”.
