JourneyOnline
The Uniting Church in Australia now sees itself in an entirely new light. And it will project itself to the world in a fresh way.
For the first time in Australia, and possibly in the world, a major Christian denomination in a Western nation defines itself in terms of its relationship with the people dispossessed by colonisation.
This is the significance of a controversial new preamble to its Constitution passed today by the Uniting Church at the 2009 national Assembly in Sydney.
Debate on the proposal was anticipated with both excitement and apprehension. Although strongly supported by the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (Congress) and many others, solid opposition had been signalled in advance.
Many speakers sought to amend some of the proposal’s complex wording. Others expressed concern at the lack of adequate consultation.
Deliberations on Sunday evening became highly emotional, with profound distress expressed by many speakers. At one point Congress representatives told the meeting they felt “unsafe” and withdrew from the Assembly.
This was followed by many expressions of profound hurt, dismay, sorrow and apology. President Alistair Macrae then led the entire Assembly of 265 members outside the meeting hall where they joined with the Congress representatives before re-entering.
It was agreed late on Sunday evening that the proposal would again be put to the Assembly on Monday morning, but without any further discussion.
On Monday morning the President Alistair Macrae sought passage of the resolution by consensus, that is, without dissent. This failed, with about seven dissenters. The Assembly then moved to formal procedures where a 75 per cent majority is required.
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