What if Egypt's border guards had turned the Holy Family back?

Sydney
22 December 2002

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What if Egypt's border guards had turned the Holy Family back?

Members of Women in Solidarity Ecumenically learn about the situation of detainees at Villawood

Mary and Joseph arrive at the Egyptian frontier with the newborn Jesus, seeking asylum.

Jesus' life is in danger in their homeland, they say.

Frontier officials demand their papers.

"Where is your proof of persecution?" they ask.

But Mary and Joseph have fled in a hurry at night.

They have no papers.

They are sent home where all the infant boys in and around Bethlehem are being killed on King Herod's orders.

Sixty women from the 15 member Churches of the NSW Ecumenical Council reflected on this alternative Christmas scenario as part of a pilgrimage day of prayer and solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers.

They reflected on how the Holy Family actually stayed for a time in Egypt until it was safe to return home.

And how in these times some people who have had their claims for asylum in Australia rejected have since disappeared or died.

The short pilgrimage, called a Day Away, was organised by the council's Women in Solidarity Ecumenically working group.

The women made a stop just outside the Villawood Detention Centre and visited the House of Welcome at Villawood and the NSW Ecumenical Council's shopfront at Carramar.

Mercy Sr Lorraine Phelan, who is involved in the council's refugee program at Villawood, spoke to the group at the House of Welcome.

She explained that detainees are often released at short notice and may have no family or friends nearby to turn to for help with their basic needs.

The House of Welcome offers them support, including emergency accommodation, and a base from which they can settle into the community.

In Carramar, the group met Sr Colleen Foley who explained the assistance that the local churches and volunteers give refugees and asylum seekers through the shopfront.

In particular, refugees with three-year Temporary Protection Visas do not have access to government-provided English classes or family reunion, she said.

They have limited employment opportunities.

At Carramar they can attend English classes and access other services to help them get on their feet.

A Day Away is usually organised once a year.

This year there were two; the first was a visit to the Mary MacKillop museum at North Sydney.

Dominican Sr Trish Madigan, convenor of Women in Solidarity Ecumenically, says the pilgrimages are an important aspect of the work of the Ecumenical Council because they promote the spiritual ecumenism recommended by Vatican II by helping to deepen the bonds between Christians of different traditions.

Kathy Moroney of the Ecumenical Council says they also seek to raise awareness and facilitate discussion about issues of importance.

For more information on Women in Solidarity Ecumenically or to offer assistance to the refugee program at Villawood, call Kathy Moroney or Sr Lorraine Phelan at the NSW Ecumenical Council on 9299 2215.