SCOTT Rush’s former parish priest is attempting to contact the young Australian, currently on death row in Bali’s Kerobokan prison, to assure him of the continuing prayers and support of the Brisbane archdiocese.
Corinda-Graceville parish’s Fr Tim Harris’ efforts come amid concerns for the mental welfare of the 24-year-old Brisbane man.
Fr Harris said Scott recently revealed that he had been circumcised to show he wished to keep an open mind in relation to learning more about the Islamic faith.
The incident comes at a crucial time as the date for a final appeal to overturn the death penalty draws closer.
The event allegedly occurred on May 7 when a group of Muslims brought a doctor into Kerobokan prison to perform the ritual.
However, Scott later told members of his prayer group that he remained a Christian, according to one report in the national media.
The report also said a former psychiatrist who was part of the group that met the young man said Scott was “anxious, thought-disordered and confused”.
One suggestion was that Scott was exhibiting signs of “death row phenomenon”, a mental malady that affects people under a death sentence.
Fr Harris said he had been “trying for days” to get through to Scott and pass on a message of encouragement on behalf of his many supporters.
The Brisbane priest said that “irrespective of Scott’s ultimate decision it was vital that our prayers for him don’t stop”.
“Scott’s name is always mentioned in the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass in the parish here,” he said. “Now we have to rally around even more with our prayers to support this vulnerable young man.”
Lee Rush, Scott’s father, visited him last month at Kerobokan prison.
“However, Lee said Scott had given no indication that he was about to undertake this course of action,” Fr Harris said.
Scott Rush was arrested at Bali’s Den-pasar Airport in April 2005 along with eight other Australians, now known as the Bali Nine, and charged with heroin smuggling.
He was found with 1.3kg of heroin strapped to his body.
He was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for his role as drug courier, as was Michael Czugaj, another former member of the Corinda-Graceville parish. Scott appealed the sentence but instead received the death sentence.
His Indonesian legal team has already lost two appeals seeking to reverse the death sentence and has only a third and final appeal left.
If the appeal was to fail, Rush’s legal team would have a final option to appeal for clemency to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Another final option would be for Australia’s Prime Minister to intervene on Scott’s behalf.
There is still no firm date set for the hearing of Scott’s final appeal although his legal team believes it is imminent.
Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission will host a prayer vigil for Scott Rush and all those on death row in Indonesia and around the world on Tuesday, May 25, at 7pm at Christ the King Catholic Church, Churchill Street, Graceville.
