News & Stories
The injustice dished out to refugee families
12th October 2017By Andrew Hamilton SJFamilies divided across the globe have often been an unconsidered side effect of Australia’s refugee policy. When Australia welcomes refugees and people seeking asylum generously, there can still be a long delay in being reunited with family members overseas. When the attitude to…
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This treatment of people seeking asylum is unacceptable
Dear friends,On Migrant and Refugee Sunday we awoke to the announcement that around 100 people seeking asylum, brought to Australia for medical reasons, were to have their income support stopped and their government supported accommodation vacated in 3 weeks. This is the first group and it is likely…
Read MoreEnough is enough
The people on Manus Island who sought protection in Australia must in decency be brought to Australia. Enough is enough. The protests at the cutting of services on Manus Island, the leaked conversation between the Australian Prime Minister and the United States President and most recently the death…
Read MoreTragedy on Manus highlights need to #BringThemHere
The tragic death of a 31-year old man in immigration detention on Manus Island should finally force the Federal Government’s hand to #BringThemHere, says the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA). “There have been so many horrifying stories and tragic events within Manus Island and Nauru, and…
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Manus shooting calls us to do better
29th May 2017Fr Andy Hamilton SJIn recent weeks we have been shown the suffering inflicted on people who seek protection in Australia. We should hold them in our hearts. The horror of the attack by PNG soldiers on refugees on Manus Island on Good Friday and the shameful…
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Palm Sunday presents an opportunity for us to welcome refugees
21 March 2017By Tim McKennaPope Francis regularly calls on us to welcome people seeking our protection. The Australian bishops’ 2015 statement called for justice for asylum seekers, in particular condemning their prolonged detention in Australia and offshore. Last year the bishops re-iterated this condemnation stating ‘It is time…
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Turning spikes of torment into fronds of welcome
21 March 2017By Andy Hamilton SJDate palm branches are double edged. The fronds are soft and sift the air as they are waved in celebration. They are waved as a symbol of victory for a visiting king. Towards the junction with the trunk, though, the unfurled fronds are…
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Open statement calling for immediate action on offshore detention
FEBRUARY 3, 2017We, as a coalition of organisations and community groups from around Australia, are writing to express our concern regarding the humanitarian crisis that Australia has created.Successive Australian governments have managed and funded offshore detention camps on Manus Island and Nauru. The people detained there are clearly…
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