OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Indigenous scholarships: Catholic archdiocese Sydney initiative of collaboration

Monday, 9 October 2006

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - The development and wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians passes by the delicate work of education, particularly for the future of the new generations: with this conviction the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney has decided to support Aboriginal communities by offering high school scholarships. The initiative was made possible thanks also to the interest and collaboration of some Catholic high schools which welcome more Aboriginal pupils. It is also a fruit of reflection and awareness building in recent months by the Catholic community in Australia which recently celebrated two events connected with the question of integration: Social Justice Sunday, dedicated to “Heart of the Country” or Aboriginal Australians and a “Dreaming from the Heart” initiative to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to Alice Springs in 1986.
The Catholic community has always been keenly aware of questions of social justice raised by Aboriginal Australians and their travailed relationship with the rest of the population mainly of western origin.
Recently the local Church gave new impulse to its commitment in this field, recognising it to be central in Australian society and a test for Christian witness: numerous Catholic missionaries and religious operate in Aboriginal communities offering a contribution to economic, social, and cultural growth through education and professional training.
At least seven students a year will benefit from these scholarships with total covering of school expense and board and lodging. Numerous Aboriginal children go to Catholic primary school but not many go on to Catholic high school because of economic difficulties. Thanks to the archdiocese of Sydney, it will now be possible: the local faithful hope that many other dioceses, institutions associations will use the tool of the scholarship to contribute to the growth, emancipation and integration of young generations of Aboriginal Australians. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2006 righe 27 parole 272)


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