Sydney, 19 April 2025- Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, presided over the Good Friday service at St. Charbel’s Maronite Catholic Church, assisted by St. Charbel Church Father Superior Assaad Lahood, where worshipers gathered to reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The day commenced with the Stations of the Cross procession at 9:30 AM, starting at Roberts Park, Greenacre, and concluding at St. Charbel’s Church. Worshippers carried crosses, prayed, and reflected on Christ’s suffering before joining the main Good Friday liturgy at 10:30 AM.
The service was attended by many distinguished guests and officials, including The Hon. Peter Dutton, Leader of the Opposition; The Hon. Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister of Australia; David Coleman, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs; Jihad Dib, NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government; and Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs. Also present were local, state, and federal representatives, councillors, priests, and religious sisters, all joining the congregation in solemn prayer and reflection. Their presence highlighted the event’s spiritual and cultural significance within the broader Australian community.
During his homily, Bishop Tarabay spoke about the profound meaning of Good Friday, reminding the faithful: ” There is a deep intensity in the liturgy today. We feel sorrow, we feel remorse. But we also feel a quiet strength. We know that death is not the end, it does not have the final word. The Resurrection is coming. That is why this day is so unique. It holds both grief and hope side by side. Not one more than the other, but both at once.”
“The crucifixion is not just a story from long ago. It speaks to our lives right now. Jesus didn’t suffer out of obligation or duty, He suffered out of love. He didn’t just endure the Cross, He embraced it, so we would not have to carry our own crosses alone. He transformed the Cross, which was a brutal instrument of death, into a symbol of hope. Through suffering, there is healing. Through death, new life. That’s the heart and mystery of our faith,” Bishop Tarabay added.
Later in the day, Bishop Tarabay presided over a service at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, followed by the Prayer of the Seven Sorrows of Mary at 5:30 PM.
