Office For Justice, Ecology and Peace

1992: Introduction of mandatory detention of asylum seekers in Australia
2023-05-06 00:00 - 23:59 (Australia/Sydney)

1970: First anti-Vietnam War Moratorium march in Australia
2023-05-08 00:00 - 23:59

1997: Wik 'Ten Point Plan' to extinguish native title announced
2023-05-08 00:00 - 23:59

National Sorry Day
2023-05-26 00:00 - 23:59
Our Home (2019) – Patrice Muthaymiles-Mahoney OAM (1975 – )

Sorry Day has been observed since 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was presented in the Australian Federal Parliament. This report detailed the impact of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Sorry Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the hardship faced when children were taken into institutional and foster care by governments and church agencies and placed with non-Indigenous families. These Stolen Generations suffered greatly from being removed from their loved ones at such an early age, and for many the scars were life-long. However, Sorry Day is also an opportunity to “acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation.”

Going Deeper

https://www.reconciliation.org.au

Prayer

Almighty and loving God, you who created ALL people in your image.

Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past. You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture, and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children from their families.

We are sorry and ask God’s forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless, and inflicted and heal their spirits.

In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable.

Lord, you are our hope. Amen.

Aboriginal and Islander Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia, (NATSIEC) 2003.

Artwork

Our Home (2019) by Patrice Muthaymiles-Mahoney OAM (1975 – )

Music

Took the Children Away by Archie Roach.

Took The Children Away – Archie Roach

1997: Bringing Them Home Report tabled in Parliament
2023-05-26 00:00 - 23:59

2017: Uluru Statement from the Heart made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders
2023-05-26 00:00 - 23:59
People talking to Jesus in the Bough Shed (1995) – Queenie McKenzie

For Reflection

The Uluru Statement was issued in May 2017 on the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Australian referendum. In 1967, Australians voted to amend the Australian Constitution, allowing the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and to include them in the census. 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders have endorsed the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart after an exhaustive and comprehensive two-year consultation process around Australia that was designed and led by Aboriginal people. Targeted structural change is called for through the Statement by establishing an ongoing First Nations Voice to Parliament, and a Makarrata Commission ‘to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history’. In 1967, Aboriginal people were counted as citizens of their own nation. Today, they seek to be fully heard, to walk with others, and to build a better future for all Australians.

Read the Statement here.

Prayer for Reconciliation

God of all creation,as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity,creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.

Jesus, through the power of your love,you have given us the courage, wisdom and strengthto share our gifts and talents in humility.

In peace and understanding we reconcile with each other.

Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgivingfor the many blessings we have received.Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.

Amen

Aboriginal Elder women and Reconciliation Church staff members, 2014.

Music

Voice, Treaty, Truth, Now by Felix Riebl and Ollie McGillsung by Spinifex Gum and Marliya Choirs

2005: Death of Fr Ted Kennedy
2023-05-27 00:00 - 23:59

1967: Referendum allows the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and count them in the census
2023-05-27 00:00 - 23:59

2000: 250,000 people walk for reconciliation in Sydney
2023-05-28 00:00 - 23:59

1992: Launch of the Torres Strait Islander Flag
2023-05-29 00:00 - 23:59
