Powerful message from His Eminence Archbishop Makarios to mark National Reconciliation Week

·

As we are in National Reconciliation Week, I feel the need to join my voice with the voices of all those who struggled throughout the decades to achieve reconciliation in this Australian nation.

I feel the need to direct my steps towards the path taken by those who crossed Sydney’s Harbour Bridge 20 years ago, as well as all those who – in the past but also in the years to come – “built” small or large bridges of solidarity, mutual respect, trust and reconciliation between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

I strongly believe that the faithful of our holy Archdiocese present a good testimony and walk this blessed path with dedication. Besides, respect and unconditional love for one’s neighbour are basic tenets of our Christian teaching.

For the future, it is the duty and responsibility of all of us to preserve what Australian society has achieved to date and to contribute, with perseverance and without complacency, in the utter attainment of the concept of reconciliation. To attain this presupposes that we look at history with respect and honesty in order to recognise and acknowledge the mistakes of the past and to turn with loving eyes towards our neighbour and to strive daily for new inroads that will allow us to come even closer together. Steps that will allow us to say with one voice – “In this together!”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

Areti Ketime brings the spirit of rebetiko to Melbourne for the Zeibekiko Festival

The Zeibekiko Festival has returned for its third year this month with a lively Rebetika performance in Melbourne by singer Areti Ketime. 

Literary memorial in Sydney honours the legacy of esteemed scholar Dr George Kanarakis

A literary memorial in honour of Greek academic and internationally renowned linguist of Australia, Dr George Kanarakis, was held on Tuesday.

Memorial service to be held in Sydney to honour the life of Chris Felemegas

A memorial service will be held in Sydney on Sunday, October 12, to honour the life of Chris Felemegas, a figure remembered for his warmth.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos meets Archbishop Makarios in Sydney

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Tuesday.

You May Also Like

How families celebrated a rare unified Easter

For the first time in eight years, all branches of Christianity—Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox—celebrated Easter on the same weekend.

Finding pappou’s lost cousin: Greek-Turkish reunion in Asia Minor

When Greek, Georgina Erisiotis, and Turkish, Yigit Gunduz, met, neither thought about Smyrna despite both their families being from there.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese appoints new Chairman of St Basil’s Victoria

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia announced that the Chairman of St Basil's in Victoria, Mr Konstantinos Kontis, has resigned from his position, yet will remain a member of the board.