The Australian Catholic Bishops, gathered at the tomb of Mary MacKillop for their biannual plenary meeting in Sydney, are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.
We have prayed for the young Australian cricketer and for the extended Hughes family, cricket colleagues and friends.
Our thoughts also go out to NSW paceman Sean Abbott. We are aware of his trauma and assure him of our prayerful support and that of the Catholic community.
The death of Phillip Hughes, a talented 25-year-old cricketer, reminds us that life is at once precious and fragile.
Released by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
27 November 2014