Sydney, 12 Feb. – Australia’s first Muslim Federal Member of Parliament Mr Ed Husic representing the electorate of Chifley in New South Wales has today praised the service of Pope Benedict XVI after the Pontiff announced his impending resignation.
Chifley is a Federal electorate in Western Sydney where many Catholic residents including Filipino-Australians reside.
Mr Husic said that it showed tremendous leadership and courage to take the extraordinary step of resigning as the spiritual leader of the universal Church.
“Pope Benedict has provided the world’s 1.3 billion Roman Catholics with strong leadership over the past eight years,” Mr Husic said.
“To arrive at this decision – the first Pontiff in almost 600 years, shows the depth of feeling Pope benedict has for this Church.
Many Australians will fondly remember the Pope’s visit to this country when he attended the World Youth Day in 2008.
“Australia has in excess of five million Roman Catholics, and the Church runs hundreds of educational institutions, hospitals and aged care facilities, making the choice of the next Pope a critical one.
“I stand in solidarity with Australia’s Catholic faithful as they pray for the election of the new Pope next month.
“I wish Pope Benedict improved health and respite in his retirement from active ministry.”