Sarah Menassa
Promoter of Justice, Peace and the
Integrity of Creation
Franciscan Provincial Office
47 Victoria Street, WAVERLEY NSW 20=
24
Telephone: (02) 9369 9309 &=
nbsp; Fax:
(02) 9369 9322
The JPIC Office would like to keep you informed about
justice issues as they arise. Therefore you may receive a fax from time-to-=
time
regarding a significant issue or event. If there are any issues that you wo=
uld
like information about, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sarah
‘SORRY DAY’ – 13 February 2008
THE Federal Govern=
ment
will make a formal apology to members of the Stolen Generation on February =
13.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will deli=
ver
the apology, more than 10 years since the Bringing Them Home human rights
report recommended the government say sorry for the policy of removing
indigenous children from their parents.
The
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Ms Macklin said the apology was the
"first, necessary step to move forward from the past''. The apology wi=
ll
be made on behalf of the Australian government and does not attribute guilt=
to
the current generation of Australian people,'' she said. It would signal the beginning of a =
new
relationship, a bridge to build respect and a powerful healing symbol.
"Once we establish this respect, the Government can work with indigeno=
us
communities to improve services aimed at closing the 17-year life expectancy
gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians'' she said.
During the 2007 election campaign, then
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd also recognised the significance of the word
sorry: “… sim=
ply
saying that you’re sorry is such a powerful symbol. Powerful
not because it represents some expiation of guilt. Powerful not beca=
use
it represents any form of legal requirement. But powerful simply because it
restores respect.”
As Franciscans we refer to
Admonition XXII where Francis is seen to believe in deeds rather than words=
. As
did James the brother of our Lord; who wrote:
‘…someone will
say, "One person has faith, another has actions." My answer is,
"Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my
faith by my actions."’ (James, 2:18).=
Let us all pray for the Federal
Government and for the Indigenous people of Australia that they will contin=
ue
along the path of reconciliation.
Prayer for the journey of healing