Australia celebrates National Reconciliation Week (NRW) from 27 May to 3 June every year, commemorating two milestones in its history.
The first being the 1967 Referendum acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the High Court Mabo decision, preceded by National Sorry Day on 26 May.
At the beginning of 2020, it was decided that the theme for NRW would be “In this together”. On that note, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, Archbishop Makarios, issued a statement:
“We are in National Reconciliation Week, I feel the need to join my voice with the voices of all those who struggled throughout the decades to achieve reconciliation in this Australian nation.
I feel the need to direct my steps towards the path taken by those who crossed Sydney’s Harbour Bridge 20 years ago, as well as all those who – in the past but also in the years to come – “built” small or large bridges of solidarity, mutual respect, trust and reconciliation between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
The Archbishop noted that he strongly believes that the faithful present a good testimony and walk this blessed path with dedication, respect and unconditional love for one’s neighbour.
“For the future, it is the duty and responsibility of all of us to preserve what Australian society has achieved to date and to contribute, with perseverance and without complacency, in the utter attainment of the concept of reconciliation.”
“To attain this presupposes that we look at history with respect and honesty in order to recognise and acknowledge the mistakes of the past and to turn with loving eyes towards our neighbour and to strive daily for new inroads that will allow us to come even closer together,” he concluded.
“Steps that will allow us to say with one voice… ‘In this together’!”
Also read: Archbishop of America condemns the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis