|
The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
|
|
a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
|
|
Media release Friday 21 April 2006 Struggling to find hopeSt David's Anglican Cathedral Hobart, which played such a prominent role in the counsel of those damaged and the city generally in the days after the massacre, again opens its doors to the city this Friday 28 April - the 10th anniversary of that terrible day. The Dean of Hobart, The Very Reverend Dr Lindsay Stoddart, said today, 'My own daughters were tragically damaged by the loss of a close friend in another massacre. My heart goes out, especially to the victims but also to our City as it again deals with this tragedy.' The Cathedral desires to work in co-operation with the Port Arthur community and whilst it will be open all day - no ministry apart from counsel and the opportunity for prayer will be happening at the time of the Port Arthur memorial service. The Bishop of Tasmania, The Right Reverend John Harrower, has given a candle for each victim fatally injured and a candle for those shot and traumatised and for the many volunteers - medical, nursing, police, ambulance and counsellors so actively involved helping the bereaved and the injured. Those volunteers along with city workers are especially invited to join the Bishop and Dean at 8am. Dr Stoddart became increasingly aware of the need for a city centre for prayer and memories when approached on Easter Day by an occasional worshipper. She said, 'I was barricaded in for 8 hours after the shootings at Port Arthur. I spent 2 weeks on a drip and lost much of my body weight. I can never go back to Port Arthur. Please open the Cathedral again.' There has been a flow of enquires. Families of victims are invited to contact the Cathedral Administrator, Bill Haas, on 6234 4900 if they wish to personally or by a friend light their loved one's candle from 7.30 to 7.55am. At 8am Dr Stoddart and Bishop Harrower will lead a time of memory and prayer with the theme of 'Struggling to find hope - lost hope, regaining hope, sustaining hope.' Contact Dr Lindsay Stoddart 0422 588 298 |
|
||