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	Bishop John Harrower's address at... A service of prayer and support for Australian services' personnel deployed overseas 21 March 2003 St David's Cathedral, Hobart
	We are here to day to pray for the Australian Services' Personnel who are deployed overseas. The Australian Government has taken this decision and we must support our Service men and women as they carry out their hazardous duties. There may be a number here today who, like myself, disagree with this decision but who are here to pray and to show our care and support for those Australian Services' personnel who are now involved in this war. In the Gospel reading Jesus' words, 'Peace be with you.', have an apparently idealistic ring. Yet, it is well to remember that they are spoken to his persecuted followers as they meet in fear behind closed doors. 'Peace be with you.' is the promise of Jesus' presence in the midst of the fear and chaos that this world in all its complexities, frailties and deceits brings. At this time of war we remember the proud tradition of our fighting forces and we thank God for their dedication and commitment. Our servicewomen and men face enormous uncertainty and pressures at a time like this and we assure them of our prayers and that we will give them and their families as much practical and spiritual support as possible. The clergy and people of our religious communities are ready to offer pastoral support. Churches will be open to provide a place of reflection, meditation, prayer and sanctuary. Jesus' invitation of peace and hospitality; 'Peace be with you.', is to be our invitation to all. Of recent times Australia has been struggling to retain its reputation as a welcoming sanctuary for all peoples of all religions, race and region. We must ensure that no difference of religion or race or region is allowed to be a cause of antagonism or division at this time. We must be on our guard against scurrilous vilification and any rhetoric of separation. With the great uncertainty the war brings, we are called to care for the families and friends of our Defence Force Personnel. As news of the war comes in we will be alert to caring and supporting one another in times of anxiety and grief. Tasmanians comprise the highest percentage, on a per State basis, of Australian Services' Personnel. I join with Ian Kennett, the President of the RSL in Tasmania, in calling on the Federal Government to release the names and addresses of the families our service personnel to the RSL in order that they may be supported and cared for. We are called to a reawakening of our community life. A community where all people can join in prayer, care and healing for this broken world. As a Christian I am sure, and can assure you, of God's love and loving presence in our chaos and present crisis. Jesus' words, 'Peace be with you.', are spoken from a life that shared our chaos. They continue to give hope even in the midst of war. We pray for a quick end to this war. We pray that the countries that declared war will commit to the rebuilding of a peaceful Iraq. We pray for those innocent men, women and children of Iraq that they may be spared further suffering and death. The Easter season reminds us of our human frailty and brokenness, our quest to impose our ways on others - our sin and rebellion against our loving Creator. And yet, as dark as Lent and Good Friday may be, we remember that Good Friday gives way to Easter Sunday. It's Friday, but Sunday is coming! May this hope sustain our prayer and care for Australian Services' Personnel deployed overseas, their families and friends, and all Australians, at this time of war.
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