Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – Celebrating the progress and development of Australian society, we cannot forget the injustices that our brethren of the aboriginal communities continue to suffer: this was the message given by Bishop Christopher Saunders, President of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, which is the “Justice and Peace” Commission of the Bishops' Conference, in an address he gave along with Elsie Heiss, Catholic laywoman and chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Commission.
The two leaders mentioned the differences that still exist between sectors of Australian society and the unfavorable conditions in which the aboriginal minorities live, explaining that the situation would require an extensive state intervention in order to offer equal opportunity, as well as aid and concrete forms of support from all Australian citizens, in the various regions and communities.
In spite of recently taken steps (see Fides 5/11/2008), on Vespers of Christmas 2008, the Bishops recalled the need for the state to make an improved effort in helping these people, abandoning the “law and order” approach, which focused only on the repression of crime, and adopting an approach more aimed at improving and promoting the full integration of aboriginal communities in the Australian society, especially through new educational and employment opportunities, under the sign of “an authentic dialogue and a lasting society,” with the aboriginal communitiy. The right to study and access to employment are essential elements in promoting an authentic integration and participation of the aboriginal communities in the social, political, and cultural life of Australia, in order to guarantee the rights mentioned in the Australian Constitution.
There are currently 517,000 aborigines present in Australia (2.5% of the entire population) that have an inferior life expectancy (59.4 years vs. 76.6 for men; and 64.8 verses 82 for women). The scarce access to healthcare takes a heavy toll and children, who suffer diseases linked to malnutrition. Alcoholism, drugs, and unemployment continue to be the main problems of those living outside the city, in remote towns. The Church in Australia has come to agreements with the government, to build Catholic schools in the indigenous communities, in order to encourage school attendance and the lack of integration in the workplace. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/12/2008)
