Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has welcomed a bipartisan commitment from Australia’s major political parties to kick start the restoration of Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral precinct.
On behalf of the Catholic community of Melbourne, I welcome the generous and significant bipartisan commitments of Australia’s two major political parties to kick start the restoration and revitalisation of Melbourne’s historic St Patrick’s Cathedral and the surrounding precinct.
I extend my sincere thanks to the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP, who yesterday announced the Australian Labor Party’s commitment of $60 million to the Cathedral precinct if they are returned to government at the upcoming election.
I also extend this gratitude to the Hon Dan Tehan MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and the Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Shadow Minister for Social Services, the NDIS, Housing and Homelessness, who have today announced the support of the Liberal–National Coalition for this important project with a commitment of $60 million in funding for the Cathedral precinct if they form government after the upcoming election.
St Patrick’s has been a part of Melbourne for over 125 years, playing witness to the extraordinary growth and change of our city, state and nation and serving as a light into the city—a sign of faith, hope and love for all who have come through her doors.
The generous commitment of both of the major political parties in our nation to the restoration and revitalisation of St Patrick’s will ensure that the Cathedral precinct continues to be a place of spiritual and social outreach, as well a place of art, culture and education.
As the mother church of the Catholic faithful in Melbourne, St Patrick’s has provided a spiritual home to the waves of migrants who have come to call Australia home—Irish, Italian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian and so many more.
This funding contributes to a broader project which will include the restoration of the historic Cathedral building and other heritage-listed buildings on the site and provide much-needed community facilities, ensuring that the Cathedral continues to be a living place of worship and community well into the future.
Most Rev Peter A Comensoli
Archbishop of Melbourne
