Mawaor
26 John Street, Perth.
II
No. 2100
PERTH, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1978
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Justice group favours native land rights An influential Catholic group hoe supported Aboriginal calls for hind rights, to mark Social Justice Sunday. The group is the Catholic vices are making a notable Commission for Justice and contribution to Aboriginal Peace. self-determination, and It is appointed by the merit strong support, he Catholic Bishops of Aus- says. tralia to deal with social The statement criticises schools for reinforcing preand political matters. Each year on Social Justice Sunday it selects a particular issue on which to focus Catholic attention. It is already preparing for next year's subject, unemployment.
judice and racism. It calls for the involvement of Aboriginal elders and parents in schools, and the use of Aboriginal languages.
It encourages the accept-
ance of cultural diversity, COMPENSATION In a statement released and a widening of options for Aborigines and all Austhis week, the commission says that only the granting of Land Rights can compensate for injustices done
tralians.
to Aborigines.
While supporting church people working among Aborigines, the statement suggests that Aborigines should have a greater say in church decisions about themselves. The statement also suggests that for some time to come, Christian Aborigines may prefer separate black churches. The commission challenges all church bodies to confront ignorance, prejudice and apathy, and to become signs of hope for Aborigines.
MASS AT HOLIDAY CAMP
Rekgious holiday camps were popular during the lost school holidays, and at Moors 48 children from as far away as Cervantes and Jurien hod a week of religion and recreation. Pictured above is Sister THERESA with some of the children during Mass. (See also page 2).
ABORIGINAL SENATOR:
It calls on Church bodies a lead by restoring land to Aborigines, The Social Justice StaSenator Neville Bon"Where is the fruit of for 1978, Abotement the promise those words A Statement of ner, an Aboriginal, has rigines: have held for Abormust Concern, is being distribut- hailed the social stateigines then?" ed through Catholic parish this statement meet "Will ment on Aborigines. churches this weekend, to the same fate?" mark Social Justice SunHe said that the stateMr. Al Grassby, ComReferring o the words Ms. Mayers called on the day. ment was "the most gra- missioner for Community It deplores the pressures phic, authoritative summary Relations, also welcomed of Archbishop Polding, and Church to actually restore the Pastoral Letter of the some land to Aborigines, on Aborigines to assimilate of my people's culture that the statement. Bishops written over 100 and to support the fight for into white society. it has been my pleasure to Aboriginal Land Rights. "It deals with the past years ago, she asks: THE SCHOOLS read." frankly and honestly," he Many structures and insti"Were it possible, NI said. tutions of that society fail like to see it as compulsory "It describes the present to meet the needs of Abo- study for every Australian factually and well. rigines, and are destructive citizen 15 years and over. The bishop chairman of the National Commksion "But, above all, it strikes of their identity and cul"It is absolutely 'spot the right note of confidence for Justice and Peace, Bishop Murray, has written to both ture. and optimism for a future the Premier of Queensland and to the Prime Minister. The commission calls for on'." In his letter to Mr. Belke-Petersen Bishop Murray Senator Bonner welcom- based on justice, love and said: separate community services for Aborigines in ed the statement's call for peace." "Members of the commission have observed, with legal matters, health and a temporary separation beMr. Grassby said that the considerable anxiety, actions of your Government with education. tween white and Aboriginal greatest amount of discri- regard to the Aboriginal people of Aurukun and MorExisting Aboriginal ser- Christians. mination in Australia was nington Island. "In particular, we are concerned that their rights, in directed against Australian natural justice, to land their ancestors originally occupied, aborigines. have not been recognised. He said that the state"In addition, recent actions of your Government ment would give heart to seriously infringe the rights of Aborigines to choose their church people involved in own way of life and to make decisions about their daily affairs in their traditional ways. race relations. "The imposition at Aurukun and Mornington Island "They are suffering the of a local government structure, seen by the people as heat of the kitchen where alien and hostile to their traditions, is an abuse of power prejudice is deepest, tensions which can only alienate Aboriginal people further from are highest and confronta- white society. "That abuse has been aggravated by the recent distion almost a daily occurmissals of the duly elected councils and the appointment rence." the of administrator. Ms. Naomi Mayers, Sec"We see such actions as destructive of the identity retary of the National Aboto take
"SPOT ON"
Letters to Govts
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and dignity of the Aboriginal people. riginal and Islander LiberTo Mr. Fraser, Bishop Murray wrote: ation Movement (formerly "We have written again to the Queensland Governpraised the ment to urge it to observe and protect the legitimate FCAATSI), statement for highlighting human rights of the people. Land Rights as. the. central "We have little. confidence, however, in that Govissue, and for identifying ernment's heeding our plea. "Accordingly, we must draw to your attention the white racism as the central constitutional rights and responsibilities of the Comproblem. monwealth Government. She went on to say that "We ask that those powers be exercised without "unless the Catholic. Church further delay to vest full title tothe tribal lands to the was prepared to back up Aboriginal people of Auruktin and Mornington Island these words with action, the and to secure for those people their right to self-deter(Statement remains rhetoric." mination."
1HE POPE'S PICTURE First reports indicate that our picture of Pope John Paul was received as warmly as anticipated. Parishes are advised that NO CREDIT will be allowed on unsold pictures unless they are received at this office by Wednesday, September 27. Mailing instructions as advised should be carefully followed.
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