In his letter to the Catholics of the Parramatta Diocese, Bishop Long says the referendum “will be a critical moment in the life of our nation. It will have implications for what kind of society we want ourselves to be”. Bishop Long said, “Enabling our First Nations People to have a say on the issues that affect them is a matter of the heart, common sense and justice”.
The Voice
Faith Community Support for First Nations Voice to Parliament
Darwin Bishop Expresses His Support for a ‘Yes’ Vote in the Upcoming Referendum on the Voice
Darwin Bishop Charles Gauchi has spoken on the important topic of the Voice and the referendum. This is an important matter that needs a lot of reflection. It needs a lot of soul-searching. Bishop Gauchi tells, ”For some time now, I have been convinced that I will cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Referendum on the Voice“.
Tension over church stances on Voice
Church leaders are being urged to prove their support for the Indigenous Voice despite the political risk of taking sides in the closing weeks of the referendum, amid concerns that some leaders are “hedging” after strongly backing the change earlier in the year.
The new call highlights questions over whether the nation’s peak faith groups will throw their active support behind the change to the Constitution when early voting begins next week, as some of their communities campaign for the Yes side.
South Australia: Interfaith Matters Forum
The Interfaith Matters Forum for September will be held on Wednesday, 27 September at the Pilgrim Church Hall, Adelaide, commencing at 6pm, The topic for this forum is Reflecting on The Spirit and The Voice – how do our values guide our intentions?
“A case for YES Referendum” – INTERVIEW WITH NOEL PEARSON – on behalf of Australian Faith Communities
On 15 September 2023, Dwayne Jeffries of Hope Media on behalf of Better Balanced Futures, representing the faith communities in Australia, interviewed Indigenous Elder Noel Pearson. During the interview, the Hindu community, Islamic communities, Buddhist communities and many others are referenced with regard to supporting First Nations Australia.
Supporting a Voice to Parliament: Brotherhood of St Laurence
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a ‘yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament. The Brotherhood of St Laurence provides a significant resource detailing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament.
Australian Red Cross position statement regarding Voice to Parliament
Australian Red Cross encourages our staff, members, volunteers, and those that work with us to take time to learn and understand more about these important topics , what a referendum is and what the Voice to Parliament is about so all community members can make their own informed decision at the referendum later this year. We are not advising people on how they should vote in the upcoming referendum, in keeping with our Fundamental Principles of neutrality, independence and unity.
St Vincent de Paul Society Supports Constitutional Recognition and The Voice to Parliament
The National Council of Australia of the St Vincent de Paul Society supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart including Constitutional Recognition and The Voice to Parliament. Our position mirrors the Australian Catholic Bishops and advances the principles of Catholic social justice.
Baptist Mission Australia supports the Voice to Parliament
Baptist Mission Australia supports a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Australian Baptist Ministries in the peak body of our Australian Baptist movement and in September 2022, the Australian Baptist Ministries National Council endorsed the recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Charities Unite To Support Voice To Parliament
Australia’s major faith-based charitable service networks have united to support Voice to Parliament: “We are deeply committed to a civil society and a world of justice, hope and fairness.” Charities include Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia. St Vincent de Paul Society, The Salvation Army, Uniting Care Australia.
