QLD: Prayers for Bali Nine death row
10 Apr 2009 4:41 PM
GOLD COAST, April 10 AAP - The family of convicted drug mule and Bali Nine member Scott Rush have continued hope he will be spared the death penalty.
About 100 people crowded into Brisbane's Christ the King Church on Friday, where Rush used to attend, for a prayer vigil, aimed at renewing debate about the death penalty.
The congregation, including Rush's parents, sang songs and read passages from the bible, in a move to "promote the value of human life against the conformity of some countries' laws".
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission's Peter Arndt said Chris and Lee spoke about their son and their on-going hope the Indonesian government would reduce his death sentence.
"He did something wrong and stupid, but we've always believed he shouldn't be punished by death," Mr Arndt said.
"We continue to hope that things will work out for Scott and the other Australians on death row."
Rush is one of three Australian Bali Nine members facing the death penalty and is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal.
Mr Arndt said it was the second time the church had gathered on Good Friday to remember those on death row.
"It is particular to the Catholic faith that human life is sacred and that it's not taken away unnecessarily," he said.
"It's the day Jesus was executed so it's an appropriate time for people who are suffering and facing death to be prayed for and remembered."
