POPE Francis' new ambassador to Australia has led Hunter Catholics in commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
Wearing red vestments, Archbishop Charles Balvo - the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia - led the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 3pm on Friday, which is traditionally regarded as the time of Jesus' death.
Archbishop Balvo said crucifixion "was the humiliating and painful death reserved for the worst of criminals, yet the image of the man hanging on the cross does not repel us".
"On the contrary, it attracts us," he said. "Indeed in the Gospel of John, Jesus told the disciplines that he would be lifted up and he would draw all people to himself.
"When we look at the cross we are face to face with the mystery of Calvary, the mystery of God made flesh, who has shown to the human race as a whole and to each of us as individuals the depths of his love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him may not die but may have eternal life."
Archbishop Balvo said the Passion of Jesus told the story of a "series of human failures", including Judas betraying Jesus, Peter denying Jesus three times, the disciples falling asleep in the garden of Gethsemane; and chief priests, elders and scribes soliciting "testimony against Jesus, even calling upon false witnesses".
"Jesus is accused and condemned by the chief priests and by [Pontius] Pilate, who though he had the chance, did not have the courage to do what was right," he said.
"Jesus the suffering servant did not rebel or turn back from the mission entrusted to him, because he recognised that his help came from God and in the end, he would not be put to shame... the word of God shows us that human failures then and now are overcome and healed by divine mercy.
"Indeed, Jesus was exalted and given the name above every other, such that at this name, anywhere, every knee must bow and every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord."
The congregation prayed for the church; Pope Francis; bishops, priests and deacons; people preparing for baptism or confirmation; Jewish people; those who believe in Jesus and those who don't; people who don't acknowledge God; and people in public office.
They prayed to God to "cleanse the world of all errors, banish disease, drive out hunger, unlock prisons, loosen fetters, granting to travellers safety, to pilgrims return, health to the sick and salvation to the dying".
A wooden cross was carried to and laid on the altar. Members of the congregation were invited to venerate the cross by either bowing or genuflecting before it.
Services will be held on Sunday to mark Jesus' resurrection.
Archbishop Balvo presented his credentials to Governor-General David Hurley on April 1.
He fills a role vacated by Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, now Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and to Cyprus and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine.
Archbishop Balvo has held the role in New Zealand and the Pacific islands, Kenya, South Sudan and the Czech Republic.
