Churches offer sanctuary to asylum seekers

[bluecat*dancing]

Good on them.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/churches-become-potential-flashpoint-after-off...

Churches have taken the extraordinary step of offering sanctuary to asylum seekers facing deportation in the wake of a High Court verdict, raising the prospect of police raids on places of worship and possible charges for clergy.

Ten Anglican churches and cathedrals have invoked the ancient Christian tradition to offer protection to the 267 people - including 37 babies - facing imminent transfer to Nauru after the court on Wednesday upheld the legality of the government's offshore processing regime.

"This is a hugely significant action for any Australian church to take. Historically churches have afforded sanctuary to those seeking refuge from brutal and oppressive forces," Dr Catt said on Thursday.

"We offer this refuge because there is irrefutable evidence from health and legal experts that the circumstances asylum seekers, especially children, would face if sent back to Nauru are tantamount to state-sanctioned abuse.

"This fundamentally goes against our faith, so our church community is compelled to act, despite the possibility of individual penalty against us."

Dr Catt called it a "fledgling movement".

"What we expect to happen in the course of the day and the next few days is that many churches from many denominations will sign up," he said.

The sanctuary offer came as the United Nations urged Australia to put the interests of children first.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child believes Australia has an inadequate understanding of the rights of asylum seeker children.

"This decision by the High Court greatly concerns us as these children and their families face a great risk in being sent to a place that cannot be considered safe nor adequate," said committee chair Benyam Mezmur.

[***super_nova***]

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@djilukjilly wrote:

It has now been revealed that the whole story was made up by the fervent advocates. ABC has had to apologise for the "error"

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Says WHO?  THe error was a confussion about the age of the child.  I do not know where you get this carp from............. 

[bluecat*dancing]

Its a loss of humanity that our pollies, shock jocks and Murdoch press have instigated and perpetuated but more and more people are realising that this isn't good enough, that we are better than that. We are talking about people, real people, not criminals or statistics but real people.Its become a case of "We worry about you drowning at sea but we will punish and traumatise you if you don't drown at sea."

The catch cry of "Stop The Boats" is wearing thin especially since it has been admitted by the government that the boats haven't stopped but instead have been towed back to sea. They've been diverted, put back in harm's way, but not stopped. Then, there are the allegations of the government actually paying the people smugglers which is hardly a deterrent, now, is it?

It does not take years to process people. It can be done very quickly as shown on Nauru when a Court challenge was imminent.

The majority of people aren't heartless, just misinformed. The 267 onshore can easily be accommodated as can the 1600 on Manus and Nauru.  It would also save the government a few billion dollars which is currently being spent on offshore detention.

.

[bluecat*dancing]

The Vic opposition leader has offered support as well.

[the_great_she_elephant]

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@djilukjilly wrote:

If a media organisation starts printing the news that suits their agenda then that's it for truth in publishing and announcing. YES it does matter that any story is factually correct, not what you feel it should be.

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You mean like Tony Abbott's "private meeting" with Obama -which turned out to be nothing but propaganda by the Murdoch Press.

People who live in glass houses etc......... at least the ABC had the grace to apologise. 

[the_great_she_elephant]

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@bluecat*dancing wrote:

The Vic opposition leader has offered support as well.

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And even the Premier of WA, Colin Barnet, has said he would be prepared to offer support if asked to do so.

It's interesting to note that the government is now criticising advocates on the grounds that they may be jeopardising the chance of  a solution being reached 'quietly.' I think they may be  looking for a way to capitulate without losing face.