SYDNEY Archbishop Anthony Fisher will celebrate Mass today (December 16) for the victims of the siege in Martin Place, their families and the hostages who have survived.
Sydney archdiocese’s communications office issued a news release saying that the Mass would be celebrated at 1.10pm (Sydney time) at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Two hostages and the gunman at the centre of a 16-hour siege in Sydney’s CBD were shot dead.
ABC Radio reported that police stormed the building after explosions and yelling were heard from inside the café at Martin Place about 2.10am (AEDT).
Seventeen people were taken hostage shortly before 10am on Monday morning but five ran free later that afternoon.
The Sydney archdiocese news release said the people of Sydney were invited to attend today’s Mass “to join in prayer for peace, strength and healing after this tragic event”.
“The Mass will be offered for all who have been involved including the police, emergency and medical staff, government representatives, city workers and all who have been affected by this terrible incident,” it said.
“Please join us in prayer as we stand in solidarity with people of all faiths in our blessed country of Australia.”
