The annual ANZAC Day Mass at Brisbane's Cathedral of St Stephen has included an armed catafalque party. This group of four armed military personnel march into the cathedral and take up positions  around the sanctuary area of the Cathedral with their weapons.

The presence of military weapons around the sanctuary during the celebration of the Eucharist is offensive, inappropriate and contrary to the spirit of the Liturgy.

As members of the Archdiocese of Brisbane we call on the Dean of the Cathedral, Rev Anthony Mellor to ban this act of militarism in the  the Cathedral

As people of faith from many religions we call on the Dean of the Cathedral, Rev Anthony Mellor to denounce the presence of these symbols of violence in a place of worship

As citizens of Brisbane we call on the Dean of the Cathedral, Rev Anthony Mellor to  promote the separation of Church and State by forbidding military personnel to carry their weapons in parade during public worship at St Stephen's Cathedral.

As people of goodwill we call on the Dean of the Cathedral, Rev Anthony Mellor to promote a culture of peace and non violence by forbidding the catafalque party to carry their weapons into the Cathedral for the ANZAC Day Liturgy

Images from the 2018 ANZAC Cathedral Mass are available at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmgHLtP4

David Bradbury Film: https://youtu.be/cFzKcFv3ejE