anglican focus

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

Nonviolence

Natallia Vasilevich, Orthodox theologian and human rights lawyer, moderator of the ecumenical group Christian Vision in Belarus (Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC)
News

Natallia Vasilevich: Christians in Belarus do not fear to be messengers of justice and peace

Theres a reason why Orthodox theologian and human rights lawyer Natallia Vasilevich prefers to speak of the role of Christians rather than the role of churches in Belarusian society…She lifts up Greek-Catholic priest Vasil Yahorau who had a sticker on his car that read Forgive us, Ukraine”– and was imprisoned for it

Features

Honouring my curacy pledge six years on because everyone has a right to live in peace and freedom

“The enduring memory I have of the sanctuary training is the sense of unity felt by people of all ages who came together, raising their voices for refugees whose voices were being ignored. The people who participated were from different faith and no faith backgrounds. I remember one young person saying to me, as we sat on the steps of the Cathedral, ‘If church was like this, I would be a part of it!’” says The Rev’d Sue Grimmett from St Andrew’s, Indooroopilly

Reflections

How the churches’ sanctuary offer shone a light on the detention centre regime, turning the tide for people seeking safety

“While preparing for the hastily organised sanctuary liturgy all those years ago, I vividly remember looking for vigil candles. As I picked up a box of 100 candles in the storage room, I looked at them hoping that enough people would turn up to light them all. Later that day, as more and more people arrived at the vigil, I had to keep bringing additional candles out from storage for people to light. In the end, 1,500 people turned up. I have never been happier to be 500 short of anything in my life,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

Features

Sieving or straining?

“One recent challenging incident had a quick and positive outcome, as I employed nonviolent communication as a helpful tool to resolve a matter and build relationship with relatively new neighbours…I find that the nonviolent communication principles and process help me to put what I am thinking or about to say through a sieve,” says St Andrew’s, South Brisbane parishioner Liz Wellauer