The Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard MP, will become the first pilgrim at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) during a Centenary of Federation ceremony in Canberra tomorrow, Wednesday 26 September.

The Minister for Arts and the Centenary of Federation, the Hon. Peter McGauran MP, will join with more than 260 people in a major religious event involving leaders of a number of Christian denominations.

The Centre was established in Canberra in June 1998 in collaboration with Charles Sturt University as a focal point for Christianity in the 21st Century.

[Click here to see background notes on the ACC&C]

Tomorrow’s event will celebrate the Centenary of Federation-funded project and the completion of stage one work at the ACC&C, including a chapel, prayer room, hospitality area, Pilgrim Walk and landscaping.

Mr Howard will receive a pilgrim staff from a young person who has recently returned from an overseas pilgrimage. 

The celebration will be conducted along the Pilgrim Walk in a three-stage ceremony: Birth of the Pilgrim Walk, Shared Pilgrimages and New Horizons. 

“The Pilgrim Walk is an expression of the belief that all experiences of life are embraced by faith,” Executive Director of the Centre, Reverend Dr David Millikan, said.

“The Pilgrim Walk is a place where all Australians can reflect and meditate on the experiences of life, issues of health, struggle, gratitude, history and the state of Australian life.”

Dr Millikan said the original vision of the Centre was laid down in November 1996 at a ceremonial gathering of the former Governor-General, The Hon. Sir William Deane, Professor Lowitja O’Donoghue and The Right Reverend Bishop George Browning as a place to celebrate and nourish the spiritual journey of all Australians. 

Stage one construction of the ACC&C is a project supported by the Commonwealth Government. Other stages to be developed over the next few years will include construction of an amphitheatre, academic offices and multimedia facilities.