anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

First Nations history

Local South African elder Local

Statement in support of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry — Queensland Muslims Inc.

“I was raised in South Africa during the apartheid era. So, I have witnessed firsthand the short- and long-term impacts of institutionalised racism, including severe inter-generational trauma…Just as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission brought healing and reconciliation for South Africans, I have witnessed how our State’s Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry has started a new era of healing and reconciliation for Queenslanders,” says Habib Jamal, President of Queensland Muslim Inc.

News Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Queensland flags News

Joint Faith Leaders’ Statement: Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures have endured much, and many faith-based organisations are historically complicit in this suffering, including in the way Churches have collaborated with the State. In signing this statement, we especially advocate for the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queensland elders to be meaningfully heard, and for their stories to be recorded and recognised,” say 13 senior Queensland faith leaders

"We honour the courage, honesty and openness of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Queenslanders who have contributed to the Inquiry so far" say Archbishop Jeremy, Aunty Dr Rose, The Rev'd Canon Bruce, Bishop Cam, Bishop John, Bishop Sarah, Bishop Daniel and the Cathedral Dean 
Local

Statement from Anglican Church Southern Queensland leaders in support of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the Path to Treaty Act

“We first acknowledge the resilience and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly their willingness to engage so collaboratively and constructively in treaty and truth-telling processes…Treaty and truth-telling are essential elements to ensuring healing and reconciliation and to effectively addressing the socio-economic targets in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap,” say Archbishop Jeremy, Aunty Dr Rose, The Rev’d Canon Bruce, Bishop Cam, Bishop John, Bishop Sarah, Bishop Daniel and the Cathedral Dean
Justice & Advocacy

Keeping the home fires burning — a very long way from home

“I have shared something of my culture here with you — how muiy (fire) gives physical and spiritual strength to my people. I have shared this from the warmth that I have for you in my heart. I encourage you to similarly share with someone this NAIDOC Week something of your culture, speaking from the warmth in your own heart. What keeps your pride in your culture burning?” asks Aunty Dr Rose Elu

Resources & Research

My experience navigating the Anglican Church as a Torres Strait Islander person

“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

Get some soul in your inbox

Thank you for subscribing

By submitting your details above to receive anglican focus communications, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the Collection Notice and the Diocese’s Privacy Policy.