John Paul II describes the Church’s mission in Australia as the continuing apostolic work entrusted by Christ to the Apostles and sustained by the Holy Spirit, the Cross, and the Resurrection. Greeting the Catholic community of New South Wales, civil authorities, and representatives of other Christian communities, he makes unity and the pursuit of full communion a central concern. Australia needs a new evangelization that brings the Gospel into its diverse social and historical setting, especially for baptized people who have drifted away through shallow formation, modern pressures, skepticism, scandals, or experiences of ecclesial coldness. The Church responds by inviting them home through God’s mercy and the Sacrament of Penance.

Isaiah’s mountain of the Lord and the Gospel’s narrow gate call people beyond self-sufficiency, materialism, pride, and selfishness toward truth and recognition of God’s image in others. Christians are to seek the common good and shape society through justice, love, and concern for human dignity. Ecumenism belongs to every Christian and advances through prayer, penance, study, fellowship, and shared service. God’s everlasting love grounds the defence of human life from conception to natural death, while Christ’s Cross and gift of the Spirit open the path to fullness of life.