October 2016 Bulletin
We believe that together we CAN make a difference, starting with small acts of kindness and hospitality and becoming a collective voice demanding more compassionate asylum seeker policies.
CATHOLIC ALLIANCE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM
OCTOBER 2016 BULLETIN
Australian Catholic Bishops offer support to #BringThemHere
Last week the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference made the bold step of officially calling on the Federal government to end the crises on Manus Island and Nauru by immediately closing the detention centres and bringing the 1,233 people seeking asylum there to Australia for processing and resettlement. Their media release stated:
The Australian Catholic Bishops also deplore the detention of our
brothers and sisters on Nauru and Manus Island. While recognising the
effort of the Government to find a solution, we say that enough is
enough. We call on the Government to bring offshore detainees to
Australia while awaiting further decisions on their future.
Additionally, the Bishops offered a full range of support for the 1,233 people from the Catholic Church, including housing, education, health and social services and friendship. CAPSA has offered to lead this coordinated response.
More horrors revealed on Nauru
Recent reports by Amnesty International and Four Corners have again reiterated the horrific conditions on Nauru and Manus Island, especially for children. In response to these revelations, CAPSA released a statement echoing the call by Amnesty International for the “Government of Australia to immediately close down the Nauru
processing operation and to bring all asylum-seekers and refugees in
Nauru to Australia”.
Despite these terrible conditions, CAPSA maintains that there is a well of compassion and care in Australia that the present Government and Opposition parties are ignoring.
You can read our article in Eureka Street outlining our beliefs.
Donate to CAPSA
Following two years of generous support from Cabrini Health, CAPSA is currently seeking ongoing funding to help us continue our great work into the future. If you, your parish or workplace are able to support CAPSA financially, please donate via our website.
Every dollar will help us to work within the Catholic community to take bold, courageous action to support people seeking asylum. All donations over $2 are tax deductible through Jesuit Social Services.
Help CAPSA continue supporting Catholics to stand in solidarity with refugees.
Recommended reading & viewing
Meet the men of Manus - Stories from men seeking asylum on Manus Island
UN tells Nauru to take urgent action to investigate abuse of refugee children - Helen Davidson - The Guardian
When in Rome: Bishop Long's dinner with Pope Francis - CathNews
Peter Dutton spends $8 million on spin doctor army - Adam Gartrell - The Age
Doctors freed to speak about Australia's detention regime after U-turn - Ben Doherty - The Guardian
The Forgotten Children - Debbie Whitmont and Wayne Harley- Four Corners - ABC
'I do not deserve this,' pleads asylum seeker detained with violent criminals on Christmas Island - Michael Gordon - The Age
Accusation of deliberate, cruel abuse of refugee children must prompt a more humane approach - Amy Maguire - The Conversation
The Australian Catholic Bishops also deplore the detention of our
brothers and sisters on Nauru and Manus Island. While recognising the
effort of the Government to find a solution, we say that enough is
enough. We call on the Government to bring offshore detainees to
Australia while awaiting further decisions on their future.
Recent reports by Amnesty International and Four Corners have again reiterated the horrific conditions on Nauru and Manus Island, especially for children. In response to these revelations, CAPSA released a statement echoing the call by Amnesty International for the “Government of Australia to immediately close down the Nauru
processing operation and to bring all asylum-seekers and refugees in
Nauru to Australia”.
Following two years of generous support from Cabrini Health, CAPSA is currently seeking ongoing funding to help us continue our great work into the future. If you, your parish or workplace are able to support CAPSA financially, please donate via our website.