UCA SA - Love in Action

Love in Action

Posted Oct 24, 2018 in News

The Uniting Church in Australia consistently advocates for the respect and dignity of all human beings. The detaining of children and individuals in offshore detention cannot continue.

Australian courts have time and time again recognised the harm caused by mandatory offshore detention. Border Force have stated that 652 people, including 52 children and 107 families, remain on Nauru while 626 men are on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.

Children are suffering and families have been separated with no timeframe as to when they may be reunited. The Uniting Church SA Moderator, Rev Sue Ellis has called for a stop to continued trauma for those who are currently in detention or separated from loved ones, “we are not giving peace, hope and healing to these people.”

The Moderator is calling on Uniting Church members to take a stand for those who are the most marginalised and vulnerable, “while news of eleven children being airlifted to Australia means there are less children, the humanitarian reasons for their arrival are medical. They are now separated from family and networks of support, adding to their ongoing trauma. We are called to love our neighbours as ourselves.

“In Luke 10, Jesus confirmed it was a Samaritan who treated the man who was in need and became a true neighbour saying “Go and do the same.”

“This is the essence of our Christian faith, love of our neighbours needs to be expressed in action.

“There are several opportunities to make a stand for our neighbours in detention at various events and at our upcoming Presbytery and Synod meeting.

“We invite people to wear dark blue shirts when we gather at the Presbytery and Synod meeting on Saturday 17 November. There will be a lunchtime photo opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity for the cause. T-shirts are also able to be purchased online here.

“I also invite you to contact local MPs and Federal members, write letters, make phone calls and visit if you are able, to share your dissatisfaction with the way our nation is currently treating our neighbours. On Friday 2 November at 6.30pm there will be a Prayer Vigil for the children that remain on Nauru. Concerned people will meet across the nation and locally at Mary MacKillop Plaza, on the corner of Wakefield street & King William street in Adelaide from 6.30 to 7.45pm to pray, lament, and to witness to a better way for children on Nauru.

“I encourage all UCA SA members to share God’s love with all people, to bring justice where there is injustice, peace where there is violence, and hope where there is none.”