A MONARCH WHO UNITED US ALL

A Statement from the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney,
Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP, Friday, 9 September 2022

All Australians are united in sorrow as we mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Catholic community pauses to remember a wonderful Christian woman.

While Her Majesty was not born to rule, posterity will record her reign as a benchmark against which leaders will be judged for generations to come.

Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a model of public service and dedication to duty. Her Majesty’s calmness under pressure, ability to comfort her people and her steadfastness in the face of adversity have been a source of inspiration for our country since her coronation in 1953.

In her passing, we remember the Queen as a Christian who loved her Lord, spoke of her faith in her Christmas messages, attended Church, prayed regularly, and treated with great courtesy all those she met.

The Queen spoke often of her love for Australia. Her visits were fewer in later years, but the warmth Australians felt for her has endured.

Many words will be spoken about the virtues, wisdom, and service of the Queen but for today we are all quietly united in awe at her life’s work and in sorrow at its ending.

I pray God grants eternal rest to his servant and comfort to King Charles III and his family during this time of mourning.