Preserving the Eternal Mystery: a challenge for all Christians, Jews, Moslems and Sikhs

A priestless parish is a contradiction in terms, because there is no parish without the sacraments, without baptism, eucharist, reconciliation. We should pray that in the years ahead a sufficient number of young men will be on a wavelength that enables them to hear Christ’s call to the priesthood, to join those gallant priests expending themselves in faithful service and prayer in the Archdiocese and elsewhere.

Let me turn now to our Gospel reading, the story of the woman caught in adultery; not a passage chosen for the installation of every bishop! It illuminates a significant area of Christian moral struggle, personally and communally.

Christian teaching on sexuality is only one part of the Ten Commandments, of the virtues and vices, but it is essential for human wellbeing and especially for the proper flourishing of marriages and families, for the continuity of the human race.

Any genuine religion has two important moral tasks; firstly, to present norms and ideals, goals for our striving; and secondly, to offer aids for our weakness, forgiveness and healing for every wrong doer and sinner who repents and seeks forgiveness.

This Gospel passage demonstrates these criteria. It represents a supreme teaching moment, highlighting the delicate balance between Our Lord’s justice in not condoning the sin and his mercy in forgiving the sinner.

Unresolved questions cloud the incident. Why did the mob bring the woman to Jesus? It was probably a trap, where they hoped to accuse him of harshness and cruelty if he went one way, or of breaking the Mosaic Law if he was kind.

Had a vengeful husband set up the incident and the witnesses? What did Jesus write in the sand? The best known tradition is that Jesus wrote the sins of the would-be executioners; another that he exposed the husband’s role in the incident.

Whatever of that, her accusers fled one by one and Jesus was left alone with this fearful, wretched woman. There was no one to condemn her; certainly Jesus did not. But he did not praise her nor endorse her way of life. Instead, he urged her quietly, "Go and sin no more".

Spiritual integrity can always be regained by repentance; God would always wipe the slate clean for genuine sorrow and amendment, even for the men determined to execute her.

The Church at her best has always struggled, however imperfectly, to diminish fear. Especially today it is fear, not doubt, which is the polar opposite of Faith.

God is good. We are destined for heaven. Suffering can be transformed and occasionally bested. Christ will come again in glory. All shall be well. All manner of things shall be well.

This is the Christian message to our world, as it has been for 2000 years.

As eighth Archbishop of Sydney I rededicate myself tonight to believe, live and teach these simple, beautiful truths. So help me God.