Media Releases

2011 Christmas Messages from Australian Church Leaders

Friday, 16 December 2011 11:07

from the National Council of Churches in Australia

Peace on Earth

Peace on earth is more than the absence of conflict, peace is stability. Everyone wants stable employment, health, housing and. personal relationships. A stable political and economic environment is also desired.

Similar desires filled first century people. Economic and social pressures existed and increased when all citizens were required to journey to their home town for a census.

The Christmas Bowl shines a light on suffering women in Pakistan

Monday, 14 November 2011 08:38

from Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia

Kohistan, Pakistan is one of the poorest and most remote and culturally conservative regions in the world. It’s also one of the worst places in the world to be a woman: a place where fathers arrange their daughters’ marriages when they are just children so they can marry them off as soon as they go through puberty. Once they are married, women are almost never allowed to leave their homes.
Australians who support Act for Peace’s Christmas Bowl appeal in 2011 will be helping to provide quality doctors and health workers in Kohistan, promote greater awareness of the importance of health care and hygiene and help women access the pre- and post-natal care they need

More Burmese people displaced in past year under 'democracy' than in previous ten

Friday, 04 November 2011 07:21

from Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia 

A report on displacement and poverty in Burma to be released in Australia on Monday has found that despite growing opportunities for change by the Burmese government, the Burmese army has forcibly displaced more people in the past year than at any time in the past 10 years.
Displacement and Poverty in South East Burma / Myanmar, the annual report by a consortium of humanitarian agencies including Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, has documented 105 villages which have been destroyed by the Burmese army and 112,000 people forcibly displaced in the past year in south east Burma alone.
Act for Peace, which supports displaced people in Burma and Burmese refugees in Thailand and Australia, believes the current window of democratic reform is the best opportunity in decades to resolve ethnic conflict. The aid agency is encouraging the Australian government to use the report to pursue an international investigation into crimes against humanity in Burma.

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Australian churches help change lives in Zimbabwe through the Christmas Bowl

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 07:01

 from Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia

“Conservation farming has changed many lives of the people living in our community,” says Shanangurai Pedzisai, a farmer from the Mwenezi district of Zimbabwe. “I am getting enough food to feed my family and help other people. Now I am a better woman, because I can make some money to put my children through school.”

Church-goers who support this year’s Christmas Bowl will be helping to lift Zimbabwean farmers like Shanangurai out of poverty, thanks to improved farming techniques which deliver greater crop yields.

Historic Day for the Coptic Christians in Australia

Friday, 14 October 2011 15:52

From the Coptic Orthodox Church, Sydney Diocese Australia
In an unprecedented show of support within the Australian Federal Parliament, we witnessed today the authentic Australian spirit of fairness, justice, courage and mateship.

The passing of the motion in a bipartisan support that:

(1) recognises that Coptic Christians in Egypt are suffering ongoing and increasing persecution;
(2) condemns the recent attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt;
(3) expresses its sympathy for Coptic Christians who have been victims of recent attacks in Egypt; and
(4) calls on the Government to:

Australia has an Obligation to Protect Asylum Seekers

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 15:57

From the National Council of Churches in Australia

As the Australian Government prepares to introduce amendments to Migration Legislation the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) again calls for Australia to take seriously its obligations to protect refugee and asylum seekers under international law.

“Australia not only has legal obligations to asylum seekers it also has moral obligations. We are a prosperous nation and the Government is introducing legislation that will place a burden upon poorer nations in the region.” said the Reverend Tara Curlewis, NCCA General Secretary.

Churches grapple with prisons and the justice system.

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 11:37

From the National Council of Churches in Australia

This week congregations across Australia will grapple with prisons and the justice system as the focus for Social Justice Sunday. The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) Social Justice Network has produced the resource “I was in prison and you visited me” to assist congregations to discuss, reflect and consider actions to advocate for a more just society.

 “It is of great concern to see that the number of people in prison is increasing faster than the population growth whilst the crime rate is decreasing,” said the Reverend Tara Curlewis, NCCA General Secretary.

Churches Announce the Appointment of NATSIEC National Director

Monday, 19 September 2011 15:27

From The National Council of Churches in Australia

 

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) are pleased to announce that Kerry Charlton has been appointed as the NATSIEC National Director.

Kerry has a background in education and training, her skills and experience have been further developed through employment with TAFE, work with Government departments and the church particularly the Christian Brothers.   Kerry is held in high regard as a consultant on Aboriginal issues.

Invest in peace on International Peace Day, say aid agencies

Friday, 16 September 2011 09:17

From TEAR Australia and Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia

 

Leading Australian and international experts will discuss issues of peace and conflict resolution in Canberra on September 20, on the eve of the International Day of Peace. The panel discussion, Build Peace, End Poverty: What Can Australia Do?, will highlight the role Australia can play in building global peace and security.

Statement By The Members of The Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations Ten Years After 11 September 2001

Thursday, 08 September 2011 11:50

The Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations

We, the representatives of the major religions affiliated to the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO), remember with sorrow the events which took place in the United States ten years ago on September 11 ("9/11"). We mourn the victims, and unite in condemnation of all acts of violence perpetrated in the name of religion.

As members of APRO, we resolve to play our part in the effort to ensure that such actions are relegated to history.