HUNDREDS of parishioners from across the Brisbane archdiocese attended the Good Friday prayer vigil held in support of Bali Nine member Scott Rush, who is still on death row – and for all those facing the death penalty in Indonesia and around the world.
Brisbane archdiocese’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) organised the event, which was held at Christ the King Catholic Church, Graceville, in Brisbane’s west, where Scott Rush’s parents Lee and Christine are parishioners.
Scott Rush, 21, and eight other Australians were arrested on April 17, 2005, in Denpasar in Bali for trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin to Australia. He was convicted and sentenced to death.
During the Good Friday ceremony, a reflection was given by Tanya Richards from Christian World Services Queensland Churches Together on her time spent in Bali with the Bali Nine.
Then, Lee and Christine told their son’s story to the congregation and expressed a commitment to all people on death row and to the abolition of the death penalty.
To conclude the prayer, red roses were placed at the foot of a wooden cross as the names were called out of the three Australians still on death row in Bali and the three Bali bombers also facing execution.
CJPC executive officer Peter Arndt said it was a moving occasion and that Scott’s parents were “choking back tears” throughout. Despite its Lenten focus having come to an end, Mr Arndt affirmed CJPC was committed to continuing action in the coming months for the abolition of the death penalty and saving the lives of people on death row.
