Justice News
Invitation to the Nation
Eight Assembly, Uniting Church in Australia, July 1997
We, the members of the 1997 National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, are deeply concerned for our nation at this time. Therefore, in response to our understanding of our calling as Christian people and as citizens, we commit ourselves to participate in the building of our nation as one which:
| seeks the truth about its present and its past, knowing that this is essential for our health as a nation; | ||
| refuses to give power to those who call us away from the generosity, hospitality, fair-play and sense of community which we have honoured in ourselves over the years; | ||
| recognising the long-standing relationship of Aboriginal people with the land, unswervingly sustains a commitment to being a nation which moves towards justice and reconciliation with them, with special concern about our responses to the Wik decision and the damage done to the "stolen generations"; | ||
| affirms Australia as a multicultural society in which all its people, whatever their ethnic origin, are cherished and respected; | ||
| with due alarm about the ever widening gap between rich and poor, upholds values, both economic and social, which move us towards a society of equity and compassion and a sharing of resources for the common good; | ||
| listens and responds to the needs of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in remote, rural and urban areas, both here and overseas; | ||
| stands firmly for human rights, even at cost to itself, as a responsible member of the international community; | ||
| takes its place as a country which makes its rightful contribution to the well-being of the environment, for the sake of the whole creation and for future generations. |
WE MAKE THIS COMMITMENT
AND WE INVITE THE MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH,
THE LEADERS OF OUR NATION
AND OTHER CITIZENS TO DO THE SAME.
May God be with us all at this time.
Christmas Island chaplaincy: a light in the darkness
Christmas Island is a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean, yet it will seem vast compared to some of the tight spaces Rev Christine Senini worked in. And she won’t have to sleep in a bunk bed.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair Macrae has added his name to the list of prominent Australians calling for reform to our asylum seeker policies. UnitingJustice has continually advocated for a more compassionate approach to these vulnerable members of our society.
UnitingJustice and the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has joined the chorus of voices calling for Constitutional recognition of the unique contribution that First Peoples have made to this country. Amendments to the Australian Constitution should also include removal of racist and discriminatory language and clauses. The open letter was accompanied by a submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition made by UnitingJustice.
UJA Reference Committee member, Professor John Langmore, discusses the political momentum behind and the public benefits of introducing a financial transactions tax.
Rethink Refugees - watch UJA National Director, Rev. Elenie Poulos, reflecting on her work in refugee advocacy as part of Amnesty's information campaign
Preamble posters and Covenanting resources
Download or print your own here.
Position Vacant: Senior Media Officer
The Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia seeks to appoint an experienced media professional to the role of Senior Media Officer. Read more...
Churches solid on poker machine reform
The major Christian churches in Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to the Government’s proposed poker machine reform this morning in the face of Catholic priest Father Chris Riley’s apparent support for the inaccurate, well-funded industry campaign. Read more...