Archbishop Makarios has issued a message marking the start of National Reconciliation Week (NRW) in Australia, reminding us that we all have a role to play in strengthening the relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Every year, the NRW dates, 27 May to 3 June, commemorate two significant milestones in the history of Australia’s reconciliation journey – the 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
“National Reconciliation Week is an institution that unites, as a conceptual bridge, the past, the present and the future of the Australian Nation,” Archbishop Makarios noted in his message and referenced the 2000 Sydney Harbour Bridge march in support for reconciliation.
“The tens of thousands of voices who joined in that landmark march urgently invite us today to cross the conceptual bridge of National Reconciliation Week, to stand bravely in the middle of its carriageway to reflect on the present and what we have achieved, but also to look equally courageously towards its two sides, that is, to the past and future,” the Archbishop stated.
Makarios acknowledged Australia’s confronting history and the achievements towards reconciliation.
“Starting from the side that signals the past, we will acknowledge sad injustices, inequity and exclusions, but also timid steps towards healing and the elimination of such inequalities. Steps that, in an increasingly courageous way, have led our Australian society to very important achievements in the last three decades.
“Certainly, we must not rest on these achievements, but with knowledge and wisdom from the lessons of the past, we must march towards the other side, towards a future with greater solidarity, greater justice, true reconciliation, without barriers between the communities which constitute the Australian Nation,” stated Archbishop Makarios.
To learn more about the National Reconciliation Week and events taking place this year near your community visit https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/
