Sydney, Australia, May 23, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Over 40,000 parents, teachers and friends packed Sydney’s Superdome on Saturday to witness the Confirmation of some 5,000 young people who received the gift of the Holy Spirit unto strength.
80 priests performed the rite, which was split into two sessions, overseen by Cardinal George Pell and six of his brother bishops.
Bishop Anthony Fisher said that he hoped the massive ceremony would show the young people that “the Church is bigger than just their church."
"They have seen the wider church on television with the death of Pope John Paul and the election of his successor,” he noted, “but this really allows them to be part of a wider community.”
"Hopefully, this will give them a chance to think about what being a Catholic means to their lives, and how the church fits into the world."
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