Australian Briefs July

Christians lobby Canberra

Ordinary Christians joined one of Africa’s leading advocates for peace in Canberra to lobby senior ministers about Australia’s responsibility to reduce global poverty.

As part of a Micah Challenge initiative, Anglican Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, a survivor of Rwanda’s genocide, spoke at Parliament House on June 18. 

Bishop Bilindabagabo believes that poverty alleviation is integral to the growth of global peace.
“I think wealthy nations need to be told clearly that by empowering poor nations they get a spin-off of global peace and security,” he said.

Bishop Alexis’ visit is part of the build-up to July 7, 2007, which marks the halfway point in the commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The goals are part of the United Nations’ action plan to halve global poverty by 2015.

Plea for blue card system

NSW’s bishops will ask Premier Morris Iemma to adopt Queensland’s blue card system for child protection, following a motion passed by the NSW Provincial Synod.

Representatives of NSW’s seven Anglican dioceses met at Merroo last month for the three-yearly gathering.

The Bishop of Bathurst, Richard Hurford, said the current police check system was inadequate.
The Synod also agreed to oppose Mr Iemma’s therapeutic cloning bill.

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