Aboriginals, Whites Seek Reconciliation

Aboriginals, Whites Seek Reconciliation

Australian Christians, both white and aboriginal, are taking new steps to resolve historic land disputes, which arose during the colonial period, as well as promote reconciliation between racial groups.

When the British first colonized Australia in 1788, they legally considered the continent as uninhabited. Thus, the aboriginal populace had no legal claim to the land. Since 1967, when aboriginals were recognized as Australian citizens, the government has slowly moved to resolve land disputes.

But in recent years, the Uniting Church, the nation’s largest denomination of former Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches, has made surplus church buildings available for use by the native population.

In October, several thousand native people who are now Christians met with white Christian leaders in the national capital Canberra to pursue racial reconciliation.

Although reconciliation meetings have occurred between whites and aboriginal people before, Praise Corroboree—aboriginal for a dance, music, and singing gathering—marked the first such meeting at Parliament House, the seat of Australian government. With the government considering how and when to recognize aboriginal claims to Australian land, tensions between racial groups have escalated.

Peter Walker, an aboriginal pastor in Sydney and president of the Praise Corroboree, says, “We want to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation, to sharing the burdens of the country with practical and spiritual support at a grassroots level. Parliament House is the best place for this.” In the Communion reconciliation service at Praise Corroboree, aboriginals prayed for lawmakers at Parliament House. Of the 18.5 million people in Australia, indigenous people number 350,000.

Copyright © 1997 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

December 8, 1997 Vol. 41, No. 14, Page 74

Also in this issue

Mary Rejoicing, Rachel Weeping: How shall we reconcile the glorious birth of the Savior with the bloody deaths of the boys of Bethlehem?

Our Latest

High Time for an Honest Conversation about THC

Legal cannabis may be here to stay, but the Christian conversation is just getting started.

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube