Letter from Archbishop John Bathersby

  This article was published following the International Conference of Interchurch Families, held at Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2005.

Letter from Archbishop John Bathersby 

Archbishops House
790 Brunswick Street
New Farm
Qld 4005
Australia 

27th July 2005 

My dear Interchurch Families,

I very much regret I cannot join you for the important International Conference at Newcastle (18-21 August). It is sad irony that there is a clash of to excellent gatherings - your own Conference in Newcastle and the World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. I have been committed to the latter for quite some time now but that does not lesson the heartburn I suffer at missing your important Conference. I certainly wish you all the very best and keep you in my prayers at that time.

Interchurch families live on the cutting edge of our Christian search for that unity prayed by Christ. You are a sign to the world of what can be achieved in the love of Christ, despite the differences that exist. There is a heroism in your faith and love that inspires those of us privileged to witness it as fellow members of the body of Christ. I will certainly pray that the Holy Spirit will be in your midst in Newcastle and I’m sure you will do the same for us in Cologne.

Sincerely in Christ.

+ John Bathersby
Archbishop of Brisbane