On the 28th of May 2000, Sydney’s Harbour Bridge was transformed into a symbol of unity and commitment to the noble cause of genuine reconciliation within the Australian Nation. Tens of thousands of people – Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islander peoples, and non-Indigenous Australians – walked side by side and raised their voices together, proclaiming that a truly united nation is one in which no one is left behind.
Each year, during this time, we are called to cross once again that symbolic bridge which unites the existing achievements with the hopes for a future marked by deeper reconciliation between the broader Australian society and the First Peoples of this land. The beginning and end of this symbolic journey are marked by two historic events that became milestones in the effort to rectify past mistakes and injustices: the anniversary of the 27th of May 1967 referendum, and the High Court decision in the Mabo case on the 3rd of June 1992.
As we enter this year’s National Reconciliation Week, now is the moment to stand before history with empathy, to learn from the dark chapters of the past as well as from the luminous legacy of recent decades, and to reaffirm our commitment to continually strengthening the bonds of mutual respect and understanding.
This challenge concerns all of us who share a common present and the responsibility for a common future in this blessed land of Australia. Even more so, it concerns us Orthodox Christians, for the Gospel of love, peace, and justice compels us to dismantle barriers, tear down the walls of discrimination, and build bridges that unite and reconcile people.
Let us seize this opportunity to grow in our understanding of the sacred land in which God has placed us to live, to deepen our relationship with its First Peoples, and through our prayers, our words, and our actions, to leave our own mark on the journey toward a fairer and truly reconciled Australian society.
