Sydney
23 December 2001
Home
Archive
Subscribe
Links
Contact
Church under fire over carer time-off initiative
University’s compassion is a winner
M5 fun day raises $20,000
Archbishop’s Christmas message
Faith is the key, says new bishop
Facelift for St Brigid’s
Caritas hits record $5.75m
Centacare rewards its volunteers
New auxiliary bishop for Perth
Animal theme wins trip, computer
Our reputation ‘shattered’
Pope’s apology ‘challenges Church’
Editorial: Christmas and the ironies of peace
Letters: Third Rite
Conversation: From pastoral life to priest’s mentor - Fr Julian Porteous, seminary rector
Reflections: Names? They’re not just identity tags
A new era: 2001 in Review
Inspirations: Gospel stories connect the Manger to the Crucifix and Resurrection
Our reputation ‘shattered’
Behaviour over refu gees has shattered Australia’s reputation as a generous, compassionate country, says Archbishop Carroll (pictured).
In his Christmas message, the archbishop, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said: “Recent statements and events, particularly in regard to asylum seekers and refugees, have shattered that reputation. Perhaps they should also shake our conviction about ourselves.”
Australians needed to do some soul-searching, he said, particularly in light of the recent election and the issues it was fought over.
The election had taken place “in a moral vacuum”.
In its wake, Australia needed to reassert its historic compassion regarding those fleeing persecution and terror and let it be known that we remain a tolerant, humane country.
The archbishop said he understood people’s apprehension in the face of terrorism. But, while it was right that Australia exercise legitimate self-defence and seek to control the number of
people coming to Australia and how they arrived, very few rights are absolute.
“The rights of others, especially those with basic human needs, must also be recognised,” he said. “I have the right to say who comes into my home and eats at my table, but what of the starving person who collapses at my door? Do I shut it in his face?”
Narrow self-interest and fear did not lend themselves to objective discussion, he said.
Australia needed to rise above these if it was to help solve the world’s refugee problem and provide an adequate response to terrorism.