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It was a privilege to co-host the NSW Parliamentary Friends of
Religious Freedom’s Inaugural ‘Religious Freedom Forum’ today, held in
the Jubilee Room at Parliament House.
It was a great honour to
welcome so many senior religious leaders, from a diverse range of
faiths, and a privilege to listen to their views about the important
issue of religious freedom in NSW.
I would like to acknowledge the following esteemed guests of today’s Religious Freedom Forum and express my appreciation for their attendance and generosity in sharing their thoughts and wisdom:
• The Most Rev Dr Glenn Davies Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of NSW
• His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Archbishop of Australia and Primate of the Greek Orthodox Dioceses of Australia
• Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister, The Great Synagogue
• His Excellency The Most Rev Bishop Richard Umbers, Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. (Representative of His Excellency The Most Rev Anthony C Fisher OP, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney)
• The Right Rev Archimandrite Nabil Kachab, Antiochian Orthodox Vicar-General of Australia and New Zealand. (Representative of His Eminence The Most Reverend Metropolitan Basilios, Antiochian Orthodox Metropolitan Archbishop of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines)
• His Grace Bishop Daniel, Coptic Orthodox Church of Australia, Sydney and Affiliated Regions
• His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Archbishop of Australia and Primate of the Greek Orthodox Dioceses of Australia
• Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister, The Great Synagogue
• His Excellency The Most Rev Bishop Richard Umbers, Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. (Representative of His Excellency The Most Rev Anthony C Fisher OP, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney)
• The Right Rev Archimandrite Nabil Kachab, Antiochian Orthodox Vicar-General of Australia and New Zealand. (Representative of His Eminence The Most Reverend Metropolitan Basilios, Antiochian Orthodox Metropolitan Archbishop of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines)
• His Grace Bishop Daniel, Coptic Orthodox Church of Australia, Sydney and Affiliated Regions
I acknowledge all those from across the political divide who attended,
including Ministers, Members of Parliament and staff, and thank everyone
for participating and contributing to the success of this inaugural
event.
I also extend the apology of Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, The
Grand Mufti of Australia who unfortunately was unwell today. I wish him a
speedy recovery and look forward to his address at our next forum.
I would particularly like to thank The Hon Damien Tudehope
MLC, Minister for Finance and Small Business, for co-hosting NSW
Parliamentary Friends of Religious Freedom and for his ongoing support
of this important initiative and I look forward to our next event..
