Qld: Record crowds for Easter service attributed to war in Iraq

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2003
Qld: Record crowds for Easter service attributed to war in Iraq

By Vera Devai

BRISBANE, April 20 AAP - Record crowds today attended Easter services as a result of
the war in Iraq, Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby said.

About 1,500 people packed St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane today - the biggest crowd
to attend the Easter Sunday service in more than 10 years.

Archbishop Bathersby said he believed an increasing number of people were turning to
religion to try to explain recent world events.

"This crowd would be the biggest crowd we've had here in the 11 years I've been in
Brisbane," Archbishop Bathersby said after the service.

"I do think that there are factors existing at the present time that could explain
the large numbers that did turn up.

"I think that's the impact of the war in Iraq.

"As people are witnessing suffering and death, they search for answers for those problems."

Archbishop Bathersby said he was impressed to see many young people at today's service
during a time when Easter had become so commercialised.

The message of Easter was, as always, one of hope and peace, Archbishop Bathersby said.

"I think the message is one that can compete with the distraction that exist at the
present time including the commercialisation of Easter," he said.

Anglican Archbishop Dr Phillip Aspinall agreed, saying Easter represented hope in the
face of humanity's challenges, including war.

"People do need to disengage from the hustle and bustle of life and sit down and find
a centre deep within themselves, where they can be honest about their feelings and open
that before God and hear what God has to say," he said.

About 600 people attended the Anglican service at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane.

AAP ved/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: EASTER QLD

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