As the foundation of the spiritual, social and cultural gathering place of the Melkite and wider Eastern Catholic community in Australia for 130 years, we are unequivocally opposed to the sale of the St Michael's Melkite Catholic Cathedral in Darlington which would wreak irrevocable damage to the historical legacy and reputation of our Church. It would be tragic to see the Cathedral sold, closed down or even relocated as it is has been the Chair of our Bishop since the Eparchy's inception in 1987 (the Cathedral is also the Eparchy's namesake) and is the ONLY Melkite Cathedral in the Eparchy (and one of only four other Melkite Cathedrals outside the Middle East).

In addition to its qualities of value to the history of Sydney (as the first non-Anglo-Celtic Church in Australia), it is where generations of Melkites developed their love for the Byzantine tradition and the Divine Liturgy. Selling this Cathedral will be erasing the hard work of both clergy and laypeople over the last century and does not signify that we are the custodians of this property in order to sustain our mission for millennia to come.

The signatures on this petition will be collected around May 10, 2022.

Please share this petition to everyone you know - friends, extended family and those in the wider community. If you know individuals that are unable to sign digitally, please contact: savestmichaelcathedral@gmail.com for a physical template.