Ex-rocker says PM should heed Pope on indigenous people
-13/10/06
Former Midnight Oil
Ex-rocker says PM should heed Pope on indigenous people
-13/10/06
Former Midnight Oil rock singer Peter Garrett, now the Australian Labor Partyís reconciliation spokesperson, says Prime Minister John Howard should heed Pope Benedictís recent call for Australians to address the underlying causes of massive social problems in Aboriginal communities.
Speaking through retired Cardinal Edward Cassidy, the Pope said there was much work to be done in Australia before reconciliation between white and black communities could be achieved and the needs of indigenous communities met.
The leader of the worldís 1.2 billion Catholics also honoured the role of Aboriginal people. “Much rests upon the example of the elders of communities,” Pope Benedict declared in his message to a meeting of Catholics in Alice Springs.
Emphasizing the work of the Holy Spirit, he continued: “I encourage them to exercise authority wisely through faithfulness to their traditions – songs, stories, paintings, dances – and most especially through a renewed expression of their deep awareness of God.”
Speaking of the challenge of drug and alcohol abuse for deprived communities, the Pope stressed that reconciliation and social justice were the responsibility of all.
“Australians are as concerned as ever about reconciliation and the conditions that Indigenous people face,” Mr Garrett responded.
He added: “Pope Benedict’s comments are a clear challenge to Prime Minister Howard to pick up the reconciliation baton and carry it forward.”
The comments mark the Pontiffís first significant foray into Australian issues, though local religious leaders were recently drawn into debate on the nature of Islam started by Benedict.
Economic inequality and land rights are major concerns for Aboriginal people. The churches in Australia have also been stressing the need to Make Indigenous Poverty History.
The next Catholic World Youth Day will be hosted by Pope Benedict in Sydney in July 2008 It is expected to bring more than 100 million Australian dollars to the economy.
With thanks to Doug Hynd
[Also on Ekklesia: Australian churches seek justice for Aboriginal peoples; Churches leader expresses dismay at Aboriginal situation; Lutheran meeting urges indigenous people’s rights; Australian Catholics seek support for Aboriginal people; Australian Christians focus on reconciliation between white and black; Church response to Australia’s Aborigines; Making indigenous poverty history in Australia; Surprise of the Sacred (book)]
Ex-rocker says PM should heed Pope on indigenous people
-13/10/06
Former Midnight Oil rock singer Peter Garrett, now the Australian Labor Partyís reconciliation spokesperson, says Prime Minister John Howard should heed Pope Benedictís recent call for Australians to address the underlying causes of massive social problems in Aboriginal communities.
Speaking through retired Cardinal Edward Cassidy, the Pope said there was much work to be done in Australia before reconciliation between white and black communities could be achieved and the needs of indigenous communities met.
The leader of the worldís 1.2 billion Catholics also honoured the role of Aboriginal people. “Much rests upon the example of the elders of communities,” Pope Benedict declared in his message to a meeting of Catholics in Alice Springs.
Emphasizing the work of the Holy Spirit, he continued: “I encourage them to exercise authority wisely through faithfulness to their traditions – songs, stories, paintings, dances – and most especially through a renewed expression of their deep awareness of God.”
Speaking of the challenge of drug and alcohol abuse for deprived communities, the Pope stressed that reconciliation and social justice were the responsibility of all.
“Australians are as concerned as ever about reconciliation and the conditions that Indigenous people face,” Mr Garrett responded.
He added: “Pope Benedict’s comments are a clear challenge to Prime Minister Howard to pick up the reconciliation baton and carry it forward.”
The comments mark the Pontiffís first significant foray into Australian issues, though local religious leaders were recently drawn into debate on the nature of Islam started by Benedict.
Economic inequality and land rights are major concerns for Aboriginal people. The churches in Australia have also been stressing the need to Make Indigenous Poverty History.
The next Catholic World Youth Day will be hosted by Pope Benedict in Sydney in July 2008 It is expected to bring more than 100 million Australian dollars to the economy.
With thanks to Doug Hynd
[Also on Ekklesia: Australian churches seek justice for Aboriginal peoples; Churches leader expresses dismay at Aboriginal situation; Lutheran meeting urges indigenous people’s rights; Australian Catholics seek support for Aboriginal people; Australian Christians focus on reconciliation between white and black; Church response to Australia’s Aborigines; Making indigenous poverty history in Australia; Surprise of the Sacred (book)]