Before an audience of 400 local school children and approximately 100 parliamentarians, the Cross and Icon were welcomed into Parliament House by Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd; Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney; Bishop Anthony Fisher, World Youth Day Coordinator; Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn; and Senator the Hon. Ursula Stephens.
The 3.8 metre high, 40 kilogram Cross has been travelling around the world for over 20 years. The Cross and Icon are an invitation from the Pope to attend World Youth Day, held in Sydney from 15 - 20 July.
"The WYD Cross & Icon has visited Parliaments around the world, and their visit here is a reason to reflect," said His Eminence, Cardinal George Pell.
"It is a moment to pray for justice, peace and equality in our country. It is also a moment to acknowledge prayerfully those times in our history when the Cross has not been faithfully borne by those who profess Christ," he said.
For the first time, an Indigenous Message Stick has joined the journey in Australia. This is an invitation to Indigenous youth to attend WYD08 from the Indigenous people of Sydney, the Eora Gadigal people.
Today's ceremony included a Welcome to Country by Aunty Agnes Shea, a local Ngunnawal Elder, a liturgy led by Archbishop Coleridge and readings by one of the youngest Members of Parliament - the Hon Amanda Rishworth Member for Kingston - as well as the Hon Paul Neville, Member for Hinkler; Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens and Senator the Hon Helen Polley.
The Cross and Icon's historic visit also coincides with the 20 year anniversary of Parliament House.
More than 500,000 people are expected to take part in at least one World Youth Day event from 15-20 July 2008. The event - hosted by the Catholic Church, but open to all - will mark the first visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Only 148 days to go to WYD08!
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