Anglican Bishop of Tasmania missing from Good Friday service

The Anglican Bishop of Tasmania had to hand over the preaching duties for Good Friday services for the first time in 30 years. Find out why he was absent >>

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PARISHIONERS perched on pews and solemn songs sung by the choir marked a return to normality for those commemorating Good Friday.

However, venue capacities and COVID-19 restrictions still mean online services will remain a mainstay for many wishing to celebrate Easter this year.

One person taking advantage of virtual services will be Tasmania’s Anglican Bishop, who will this year miss preaching at Easter for the first time in about three decades.

Bishop Richard Condie was caught up in the mainland COVID-19 outbreak while on a two-week holiday to Queensland and northern New South Wales.

He is now in sitting out a two-week stint in home quarantine.

LABOR SOCCER GROUND

Dr Condie said it was strange not attending services this year, having preached every Easter since being ordained about 30 years ago.

“But if there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s how to be flexible,” he said.

“This time last year we were in a much different situation. All services were online last year.

“My wife and I joined one of our congregations online this morning and it was great to see a full house attending. We’ll do the same on Sunday.”

He said many parishes now held online and in-person services, making it easier for people such as himself who are unable to physically attend.

“I’ll probably take the opportunity to visit a couple of our churches,” he said.

Dr Condie said with all the uncertainty in the world at the moment, the Christian message was one of hope in the face of death.

“The Easter story is about resurrection, Jesus rose from the dead. For those who have faith, it’s a great hope that this life in not the end.”

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

With Dr Condie unavailable, this year’s Good Friday service at St David’s Cathedral was instead conducted by the Dean of Hobart Richard Humphrey.

At the service he said the day was a solemn one for those attending.

“The Friday is probably the most important day for Christians around the world,” he said.

“We remember that Jesus died for our sins and gave us the hope of a world restored – and in our current environment, that’s a great thing to hold on to.

“It’s just lovely to be able to be together and have that sense of community, which I think for many people is what was most missing last year.”

Anglican Dean of Hobart Richard Humphrey during the Good Friday service at St David’s Cathedral. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Humphrey said they expected a full house of 350 people for Sunday’s service.

At St Mary’s Cathedral, an Easter Saturday vigil will take place from 7.30pm.

The visual service will begin outside the cathedral with the lighting of fire and blessing of the Paschal Candle, prior to a candle-lit procession continuing into the darkened cathedral to represent the journey from darkness into light.

Easter Sunday Mass will take place at 10.30am.

Both will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Hobart’s YouTube channel.

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