Inside Pitt St Uniting Church.

On Sunday, 10th April, an Ecumenical Service commemorating the life and ministry of Pope John Paul II was held at the Pitt Street Uniting Church in the heart of Sydney. Hosted by the New South Wales Ecumenical Council, the service brought together representatives from a wide array of religious traditions to celebrate the life and message of John Paul II through song and prayer.

The world has in the past week borne witness to the millions of people flooding into Rome to pay homage to the late Pope John Paul II - considered to be one of the greatest leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and a true servant of God. But what has truly astounded witnesses to this momentous event has been the sheer scale of national and cultural diversity represented within the crowds surrounding the Vatican.

Mr Max Eulo addresses the assembly.

It was this very diversity that was reflected in the assembly present at Sunday's commemorative service. Representatives included Mr Max Eulo, an Aboriginal Elder of the Eora people within the Sydney region, Bishop Kevin Manning, President of the NSW Ecumenical Council and Roman Catholic Bishop of the Parramatta Archdiocese, as well as representatives from the Eastern Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and Buddhist traditions. The service was led by The Reverend Paul Swadling, General Secretary of the Uniting Church NSW Synod, The Reverend Ian Pearson of the Uniting Church and The Reverend Dr Ray Williamson, General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council.

The service's welcome was marked by a procession of symbols carried into the church, accompanied by the echoing pulse of a didgeridoo. Among these, a dish of earth was offered as a symbol of the Pope's extensive travels around the world & in memory of his 1986 Alice Springs address, where he honoured the indigenous people of the region & their covenant with the land.

The Cathedral Singers perform "God so loved the world" (Sir John Stainer).

Reverend Dr Ray Williamson delivered an address to those assembled, focusing on John Paul II's commitment to interfaith dialogue & ecumenism as instruments of peace and justice. Reverend Williamson particularly highlighted the late Pontiff's concerns expressed during his 1995 visit to Australia, where he promoted ecumenical endeavours which addressed important problems as the mission of all Christians.

Chór Têcza prepares for its performance.

A certain vivid, cultural richness was evidenced within the service in its variety of religious expression – a Psalm being chanted according to the Coptic Orthodox tradition, an anthem performed by the Cathedral Singers (originating at St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral & now an inter-church group), a prayer from the Eastern Orthodox tradition and a choral work sung by the Polish Choir, Chór Têcza.

Roman Catholic Bishop, Kevin Manning, concluded the service with an address of appreciation. Bishop Manning affirmed John Paul II's recognition of the need for unity within the Church and stressed the importance of continuing inter-faith dialogue.

All in all, Sunday's commemoration of Pope John Paul II was not only a reflection of the great man himself, but of his resounding impact upon the community at large. The peaceful gathering of this diverse congregation was a testament to a lifetime spent striving for peace, building relationships through dialogue & promoting justice.