Justice for the families of victims of the MH17 disaster could be a long time coming, the head of the Anglican Church in Australia says.
Hundreds have gathered at Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral for a multi-faith service to pay their respects to the 298 people who died in the Malaysia Airlines downing.
Archbishop Philip Freier, the Anglican primate, said those left behind deserved to know why their loved ones died.
“From what we know someone gave orders to destroy MH17. It cannot be true that no one knows what happened,” Dr Freier told the congregation today.
Dr Freier said the families faced a frustrating wait to find out if the people who shot down the plane would face justice.
“What might not always be satisfied in this world, will certainly find its true measure in the judgment of God,” he said.
Dr Freier said the bodies should be returned so families could grieve and say goodbye properly.
“May the precious gift of hope be stirred within each of us,” he said.
Victorian Premier Denis Napthine read a poem by Dutch-American Henry van Dyke, as candles were lit to commemorate those who died.
Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi said a Muslim prayer, Hojun Futen gave a Buddhist blessing, and Cantor Bruce Levin sang a Jewish lament.
Malaysian Consul-General Mohamed Rameez Bin Yahaya and Dutch Honorary Consul Hans Nieuwland lit candles to mark the many who died from their countries.
Dr Napthine said he had spoken to some victims’ families and they were overwhelmed with emotion and the support they had received.
“The families expressed that they are very anxious to get the bodies returned to Australia as soon as possible, so they can grieve privately,” Dr Napthine told reporters.
More than 1200 people attended the service at the cathedral, with more watching a broadcast in Federation Square across the road.
Bodies arrive in the Netherlands
Earlier today, Australian relatives and friends of MH17 victims were among those on hand in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, to meet the arrival of the first 40 bodies from the Ukraine.
A solemn ceremony marked the landing of the Dutch C130 Hercules and the Australian RAAF C17 transporter just before 4pm local time (12am AEST), with the flags of the 17 countries impacted by the tragedy flying at half mast.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Governor-General Peter Cosgrove were among the dignitaries, which included the Dutch king and queen.
They stood in close proximity to approximately 1000 grieving family and friends of the 298 people killed almost a week ago, when Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was downed over rebel-controlled territory in the Ukraine.
Following the ceremony, Ms Bishop told journalists she was planning to meet relatives and friends of the victims who were in the hangar, including Australians.
“I hope to meet the Australians that are there and reassure them that the whole country is behind them. The whole country is supporting them.”
The last post was played, followed by a minute’s silence, before caskets were moved by military personnel one at a time into 40 individual hearses parked on the tarmac.
The same ceremony and respectful process will be repeated until all bodies – which number 200 according to Dutch authorities – are shuttled by the C130 and C17 from Kharkiv to Eindhoven.
Sir Peter went on board the RAAF C17 after the bodies were unloaded, to thank the Australian crew and members of the disaster victim identification teams.
“We’ve got Australians on the job. I’m very proud of them,” Sir Peter said afterwards.
“I feel today very moved to be an Australian in a friendly country on such a sad occasion.”
Ms Bishop said reports out of Ukraine suggesting two Australian bodies were on board one of the initial planes, could not be verified.
Both Sir Peter and Ms Bishop said they greeted every wooden casket as if it carried an Australian.
“We were thinking is this person in this casket, is this an Australian?” Sir Peter said.
“So today they were all Australians. And they were all Dutch. And they were all the other nations. I feel very privileged today to represent all the families … and all Australians.
“This is a long journey home.”
The identifying process could take months but Dutch authorities say it will be conducted as speedily as possible.
Once the bodies of Australians are identified, relatives and friends will be contacted immediately by the consular officer assigned to them and provisions will be made for them to travel to the Netherlands and accompany loved ones back home.
“The Australian government will do whatever we can to ensure they can get closure eventually after such a harrowing, appalling period in their lives,” Ms Bishop said.
“We just want to bring them home.”
The Foreign Minister has left open the possibility that Australian peacekeepers could be dispatched to help secure the MH17 crash site.
She confirmed she will travel with the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Frans Timmermans, to Kiev, to discuss with the Ukrainian Government and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation Europe, the most effective way of securing the rebel-controlled region near Donetsk.
Asked if there might be a peacekeeping force involving Australia sent in to protect the MH17 crash site, Ms Bishop indicated it was an option currently on the agenda for discussion.
“I will be travelling to the Ukraine to meet with the Ukrainian leadership to build on the discussions Prime Minister Abbott has had overnight including with the Ukrainians, Dutch and others,” Ms Bishop told media.
“We must ensure the investigators and those who have the gruesome task of identifying body remains are able to do that in safety. Unfettered, without any tampering from anyone.
“We are looking at the most effective way.
“The work that must be undertaken (is) painstaking, long, difficult work. But we will not rest until we have counted every body, every Australian aboard that flight.”
Ms Bishop said Prime Minister Tony Abbott would be involved in details being worked out with the Ukrainians and other leaders.
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