Resources & Research
“I also often invite other Anglicans to see that Torres Strait Islander Christians are Christians in our own way. We seamlessly blend our ancient sovereign ways and knowledges as Traditional Custodians with the wider Church’s ways and knowledges. For example, as part of my baptism as a baby, my mum removed my clothing and nappy and held me up in the sea breeze to be sprayed, to first be blessed, by the malu (ocean). She then took me to the church for the service,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu
Justice & Advocacy
“One of the greatest tragedies of the referendum outcome is that the lives of non-Indigenous Australians who voted ‘no’ will continue on the same just as their lives would have continued on the same if they had voted ‘yes’. It is the lives of First Nations peoples who will be impacted by the referendum result — and negatively so for decades to come,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu
“Last week the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to General Synod — gathered for their annual meeting in Newcastle…During the meeting, the overwhelming majority of NATSIAC report presenters expressed their sadness and dismay at the referendum result. There was also a sense that the referendum result exposed a deeper darkness in this land…There was a lingering feeling of deep sadness, as well as bewilderment, dismay and a fear for the future, especially for the future of our children,” say The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase, Aunty Dr Rose Elu and Aunty Sandra King OAM
“God blesses us through the ocean as the waves and the current go in and out. The ocean is sacred to us. As part of my baptism as a baby, my mum removed my clothing and nappy and held me up in the sea breeze to be sprayed — to first be blessed — by the ocean. She then took me to the church for the service,” says Torres Strait Islander Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu
“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
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