Are churches above the law?

[village_person]

Peter Dutton warns churches over sanctuary to asylum seekers

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has warned churches and cathedrals offering “sanctuary” to asylum-seekers facing deportation to Nauru that the government expects them to obey the law “no matter who you are”.

As reported in The Australian today, more than 10 churches across Australia have today begun offering to shield asylum-seekers under the ancient Christian tradition that people fleeing unjust civil authorities can reside permanently inside a church.

With a series of rallies scheduled to commence starting today at 12.30pm in Sydney, Mr Dutton said the churches would receive no special exemptions from the law.

“Churches provide a lot of assistance to refugees and they feel very strongly about these issues, I understand that. In the end people have to abide by Australian law, no matter who you are,” Mr Dutton told Sydney’s 2GB radio.

[...]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/peter-dutton-warns-churches-over-sanctuary-to-asylu...

It would seem that theomania is rampant in Dr Peter Catt's house of worship.

[the_great_she_elephant]

The Catholic Church forbids both contraception and abortion, so clearly they feel they are under that obligation.

The post you are referring to suggested the  reason the Churches are  offering sanctuary - I didn't offer an opinion on whether they should do it.

[Anonymous]

ok.  thanks.  yes, i understand

their reasons, i guess i was still

thinking about the topic ie are 

churches above the law...should

they get away with it. 

[polly.the.cat]

lt does not apply to Australia, as we are not Governed or signatories to the UK Westminster Law. We are covered by The Australian Constitution after Federation in 1901. The Australian Constitution being recognized and ratified in 1927 at the Opening of Parliament House in Canberra, ACT. Prior to that Melbourne Exhibition Buildings in the Fitzroy Gardens, was our First Parliament House after Federation in 1901.

[icyfroth]

It just goes to show how divisive this question of refugees is, when it pits Churches against Government,  Australians against Australians, it's almost like a civil war.

We can't NOT  take in refugees, it's the right thing to do, especially when our government has been party to making war on the countries some of them are fleeing from.

But how to sort them from opportunists and gatecrashers?

There has to be a screening process, and if that takes longer because travelling documents have been lost or deliberately destroyed, then that's a procedure we need to adhere to, and churches or NGOs have no business interfering with the law of the land, IMO.

[debra9275]

It just goes to show how divisive this question of refugees is, when it pits Churches against Government,  Australians against Australians, it's almost like a civil war.

it's our own current govt. that has pitched Australians against Australians

[***super_nova***]

The stupid thing is that if they just quietly processed them and released the genuine and deported non genuine, nobody would be talking about it.  It would be non issue and media would not even notice another dozen of refugees released into community.  Creating situations that grab headlines is what divides the country.  It all started with Tampa and children overboard, which were Howard's deflection of real issues.  There is no controversy about people landing in airports and applying for asylum.

[***super_nova***]

---

@icyfroth wrote:

There has to be a screening process, and if that takes longer because travelling documents have been lost or deliberately destroyed, then that's a procedure we need to adhere to,

---

It is not taking longer because of lack of travelling documents; it is taking years because the department stopped processing applications.  It used to take matter of couple of months, now it is just not done and people are living in limbo for years, which is resulting in deteriorating mental health.  If they are going to be released eventually, it will be very difficult for them to resume normal life.

Gatecrashers, opportunists?  frothy, if you would be sitting on sinking ship with few million of people knowing that there are lifeboats for only handful you would be also taking any opportunity you could to get into one of them.  People who grab any opportunity life give them are those who succeed.  People who sit around waiting for something happen get left behind in life. 

[moonflyte]

It started when Australians were faced with unfettered refugees pouring into the country  sabotaging vessel's and burning documents.

Australia is a very generous country but the illegal immigrants are their own worst enemy along with the refugee advocates.

We now see what has happened to Europe and think back just a couple of years and that would have been Australia under Labor.

Another reason some illegal refugees are in detention for longer periods  is they are not genuine and they will not go home, they prefer to sit it out hoping for a change of policy.

Self harm on Nauru has almost ceased after the policy of allowing family to come to Australia with their relative for treatment.

What does that intimate to us, they were doing it simply to wedge the government to let them stay in Australia. 

This truth is a bitter pill for the refugee advocates so they ramp up to get suppoort any way they can.

[debra9275]

nah it's not just about refugees djikjilly- it's  also about the elderly being a so called burden on society. the disabled, the unemployed etc etc.

[Anonymous]

It is not taking longer because of lack of travelling documents; it is taking years because the department stopped processing applications. 

not true.