JourneyOnline
Rev Dr James Haire AM, former President of the Uniting Church in Australia (2000-2003) has received the Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2013 Honours List.
He was recognised for eminent service to the community through international leadership in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, the promotion of religious reconciliation, inclusion and peace, and as a theologian.
In an interview with Penny Mulvey, Communications and Media Services Director for the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Professor Haire said that his interest in reconciliation and dialogue stemmed from his childhood in deeply divided Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland was a place of sophisticated mutual apartheid. The two sides, the Catholics and the Protestants, ignored the existence of the other."
Professor Haire was involved in reconciliation in Eastern Indonesia, and was a negotiator for the end of the fighting between Christians and Muslims in the Malacca Islands.
"I also worked with (Archbishop) Desmond Tutu in setting up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Solomon Islands at the request of the Solomon Islands government."
His dream is to build a multi-faith centre on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
"There is no national place where the deepest spiritual aspirations of Australians can be expressed and celebrated and I want to build such a place. I want it to become a national symbol of Australia's commitment to social harmony and mutual respect within our rich diversity."
Photo : Rev Dr James Haire AM, former President of the Uniting Church in Australia (2000-2003) has received the Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2013 Honours List.
