AUSTRALIAN CHURCH LEADERS COMMIT TO PRAY AND URGE ACTION ON DEEPENING ZIMBABWE CRISIS
The Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Uniting Church and National Council of Churches in Australia support the call by the religious leaders of Zimbabwe for immediate international action to prevent an imminent crisis in Zimbabwe. We express our deep concern over the deteriorating political, security, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe following the 29 March 2008 national elections and the failure of the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission to release the results of the Presidential election.
As religious leaders in Australia we support the appeal this week from religious leaders in Zimbabwe (attached) which:
· warns the world that if nothing is done to help the people of Zimbabwe from their predicament, we shall soon be witnessing atrocities similar to that experienced in Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi;
· calls for the immediate end to political intimidation arising from the desire to influence how people will vote in the anticipated run-off in the presidential poll;
· calls on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release the true results of the presidential poll of 29 March 2008 without further delay; and
· commends the people of Zimbabwe for exercising their democratic right peacefully and urging them to maintain and protect their dignity and their vote.
We also:
· commit ourselves, and encourage all churches in Australia, to pray and increase our support for the people of Zimbabwe (the churches, with their considerable networks across Zimbabwe, are one of the vital networks in getting assistance to those most effected by the economic and political crisis).
· call on the Australian Government to provide additional emergency assistance in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.
Archbishop Philip Wilson, President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, Primate, Anglican Church of Australia
The Revd Gregor Henderson, President, Uniting Church in Australia
The Revd John Henderson, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia
Samaritan Projects
A reminder to all, that through Samaritan Projects Tasmania our Archbishop and his committee has been able to assist fellow Tasmanians directly or through donations to Tasmanian organisations to which people turn to for help. This year one of the most common areas of need supported by the Fund was to support families requiring emergency accommodation.
As the financial year draws on to a close on June 30th , please consider a tax deductible donation to Samaritan Projects Welfare, so that through your support the Fund is able to continue to provide our fellow Tasmanians in crisis with a measure of support.
Donations can be sent to:
Samaritan Projects Welfare, P O Box 62 Hobart Tasmania 7001.
Enquiries can be made by phoning Mr Edward Kempa on 62086264.
