“As Christians, we place a high value on peace. The Bible records Jesus of Nazareth saying: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’…We believe that the implementation of the Voice through the proposed constitutional amendment wording will advance peace and the ongoing Reconciliation process, thus helping to foster healing and unify our country,” say Aunty Dr Rose Elu, Canon Bruce Boase, The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, Anglicare’s Sue Cooke and the Anglican Schools Commission’s Sherril Butterworth in their recent Parliamentary submission
“The forthcoming referendum about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a pragmatic Voice to Parliament builds on the remarkable legacy of the 1967 referendum. I am hopeful that this year’s referendum will be a success and I look forward to seeking to contribute my views as Parliament consults with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about the model,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu
“As I looked out beneath the palm trees on a sandy Egyptian beach towards the calm, clear waters of the Red Sea recently, I thought of my stunning island home…Because my people’s spirituality lies in the sea, sky and land – which are all part of God’s good creation – we have an intrinsic connection to them,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu
“God calls us to respect one another. This, in part at least, involves respecting people’s territories, traditions and protocols; seeking counsel and consent; and, caring for one another. Respect is also about being welcoming and inclusive. When respect is fostered, harmony presides. When respect is denied, harm is caused,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu in her Lambeth Conference Anglican Indigenous Network address
Hear Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu pray Thathiu Thoeythupoegay (The Lord’s Prayer) in Kalaw Kawaw Ya in this special video
On 1 July annually, Torres Strait Islanders celebrate the anniversary of “The Coming of The Light” when the London Missionary Society and Melanesian leaders landed on Erub in 1871, introducing the Bible to the people who lived there. Hear Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu share the Buiyaw Thoethupoegay (The Coming of The Light prayer) in Kalaw Kawaw Ya in this special video
“The landmark Mabo case has become an icon of rightness and fairness, particularly demonstrated in this oft-quoted line from the classic 1997 film The Castle: “In summing up, it’s the Constitution, it’s Mabo, it’s justice, it’s law, it’s the vibe’,” says Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu, as National Reconciliation Week continues
Get some soul in your inbox
Thank you for subscribing