Pope Benedict keeps apology and reconciliation on the national agenda...

The Coordinator of Broome's Office of Justice, Ecology & Peace has today echoed the calls from Pope Benedict XVI for a national apology to Australia 's Indigenous peoples.

‘Pope Benedict has shown himself to be a man who does not shy away from saying what he believes needs to be said, both in the past and in his new role as leader of the world's Catholic community,' Br Shane Wood said. ‘In this instance he has called upon the Australian Government to “continue to address with compassion and determination the deep underlying causes of [Aboriginal people's] plight” . This is a clarion call for governments at all levels to pay heed to more than just the outward symptoms of disease and dysfunction, important as this is. The Holy Father makes a clear link between these underlying causes and the lack of a national apology. Facing the sometimes shameful truth of our past as a nation is the way, he says ‘to lasting reconciliation through the healing process of asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness - two indispensable elements for peace'.

‘As we approach National Reconciliation Week in Australia, and when as a nation we are trying to come to grips with the obvious and sometimes painful symptoms of the absence of this peace, I call on governments at all levels and of all political persuasions to put aside their ideological differences and preconceived notions of what will produce a quick fix and a favourable headline, and to sit down with local communities to work together in real partnerships to address the real crises some communities are facing.

‘This would be a great practical expression of a national commitment to making the future better for our Indigenous people. And while this is going on, at no financial cost, with the potential to win the support and gratitude of millions of his fellow Australians, the Prime Minister ought do as Pope Benedict has called on him to do and make an apology on behalf of the nation for past injustices and hurts suffered by our Indigenous peoples; injustices and hurts that continue to produce devastating symptoms today.

‘It would be especially pleasing if those senior members of the Government who are so keen to publicise their Catholic affiliations at other times were to publicly endorse Pope Benedict's strong comments on this issue inside their Party Rooms,' Br Wood concluded.

Release ends – 23 May, 2006

CONTACT: Br Shane Wood Ph 08 9192 1060 Fx 08 9192 2136