A guitar anthem O Son of Spirit echoed through St John’s Anglican Cathedral followed by a scripture reading in Hebrew at yesterday’s Annual Faith Service for the Legal Profession and the Judiciary 2025.
The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves, Archbishop of Brisbane, welcomed practitioners, the Attorney-General, representatives from the Supreme, Districts and Magistrates Courts, and parishioners from a variety of faiths and religions to the Brisbane cathedral in Ann Street.
The theme for this year’s annual service was A Time of Reflection and Recommitment to the Queensland Community and a diverse range of cultures was reflected in the order of service.
Chief Justice Bowskill led the judiciary into the cathedral.
The Honourable Chief Justice Bowskill, along with legal representatives and religious leaders, entered the church in the traditional procession to organ fanfare. The Crown Law Choir led the congregation in song for the national anthem.
Solicitor Josh Saunders made the opening prayer of thanksgiving for “the country and legal system which allow us to gather united”.
David Paratz AM, a member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, read the first scripture in both Hebrew and English, after Eric Naitoro, a member of the Baha’i community, set the scene for reflection with a guitar solo.
Lawyer James Demack also read from the scripture as did immigration lawyer Ismail Essof. Between the readings there were short chants from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and Buddhist Centre at Camp Hill.
The sermon and reflection were given by Imam Uzair Akbar from the Holland Park Mosque, who said: “Today is a beautiful day; people who are responsible to establish justice in this country who have come together”.
“We can’t live in peace if there is no justice,” he said, urging mutual respect and offering the hand of service.
“Then we can live in a bubble of tranquility and peace.”
Prayers of Petition for the Queensland Community were read by representatives of the Sufti, Sikh, Muslim and Pagan communities.
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