JourneyOnline
God… has given us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18)
The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) continues to offer prayerful support for National Sorry Day.
President of the UCA, Rev. Gregor Henderson, said that, ten years since its inauguration, National Sorry Day reminds us that there is much still to do in the reconciliation process. “We have commended the Federal Government on its official apology to the Stolen Generations,” Rev. Henderson said.
“That was a terrific first step from the new Labor Government and we look forward to improved and ongoing consultation with Indigenous peoples, to redress the disadvantage they continue to suffer.
“The UCA works in collaboration with Indigenous Australians, particularly through the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, as well as our community services and justice agencies. We pray that the Government adopts similar partnership practices to effect the best outcomes for Australia’s Indigenous communities.”
A new ecumenical Indigenous group was launched a week ago in Canberra, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Alliance (NATSICA). More than two years since a new, broad, interchurch Aboriginal alliance was first discussed, Rev. Henderson said he was very pleased NATSICA had finally been officially launched.
“The Alliance aims to enable Indigenous Australians to engage directly with government, through advocacy and lobbying,” Rev. Henderson said. “It will enable Indigenous voices to be heard and governments to respond to the issues of Indigenous Christians.
“On National Sorry Day we pray for continued reconciliation and look forward to the activities of the Alliance in the process.”
Photo : Uniting Church National President Rev Gregor Henderson
