claudine_c

David Hicks is an Australian who was caught in Afghanistan in 2001, allegedly fighting with the Taliban. He has been held in Guantanamo Bay ever since, and has not been tried in court.

After some initial attention, Hicks's story was largely neglected in Australia until the recent 5-year anniversary of his capture. He has become an `issue' again, with people demanding that he be returned to Australia and face a fair trial. Charges have still not been laid. The USA and UK would not allow their own civilians to be treated this way, but the Australian government has been dragging its feet.

This afternoon our Archbishop Philip used the Saturday midday eucharist at St Paul's Cathedral to draw attention to Hicks's case, but also to the wider issue of the neglect for the rule of law. The cathedral chapter also authorised a banner on one of the spires. The cathedral has previously displayed banners promoting peace and Make Poverty History, but this one is potentially more controversial.

The Age says that 800 people turned up to this service, which I have trouble believing -- the cathedral was almost full, but didn't feel crowded. The newspaper is generally kind to the cathedral.

(Update, Sunday: the estimate has been revised to 500.)

I'm encouraged by this new archbishop. In the last two months I've seen more of +Philip in person and in the media than I ever saw of his predecessor. He is really trying to engage with the church and the city at large.