Leaders of other faith communities will join indigenous and non-indigenous Christians in releasing doves this Friday as part of the national release of DOV (the Decade to Over-come Violence), a new national initiative for reconciliation and peace. 'We are seeking to mark this Harmony Day', said the Revd Dr Jonathan Inkpin for the National Council of Churches in Australia, 'as an opportunity to celebrate what unites us, and to commit ourselves to a deeper sense of community and justice for us all. As we set free our birds of hope in the face of doom-laden clouds, so we call others to set free the love of God in their own lives and relationships.'

The worldwide Decade to Overcome Violence calls on churches and all people of goodwill to work together for peace, justice and reconciliation at all levels, and aims to find new and creative approaches to conflict so as to cultivate a culture of peace within ourselves, and our world. Churches across Australia have been working for some time on this project locally, but this marks the fresh urgency being given to it in our troubled times.

The DOV Release event will take place at The Centre, Randwick, Sydney on 21 March at 3.30 pm, and will be addressed by Lowitja O'Donaghue and Paula Masselos, two of the patrons of the Decade to Overcome Violence in Australia, whose work for indigenous justice and multi-cultural harmony typifies the intent of the Decade. Messages of support will also be read from fellow patrons Sir William Deane and the Revd Shayne Blackman. Representatives of the 15 member churches of the National Council of Churches in Australia and indigenous Christians will create a special covenant of hands to express their common commitment. The ceremony will conclude with the release of doves as a symbol of peace by Prof. Lowitja O'Donoghue, Mr. Jeremy Jones (National President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry), Mr. Amjad Mehboob (Chief Executive Officer, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils) and the Revd John Henderson (General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia).

'Overcoming violence is not easy', said the Revd Dr Jonathan Inkpin, 'but setting free the Dove of Peace in all of us can make a powerful difference.'

For further information:
Contact Emily Ninnes OR the Revd Dr Jon Inkpin at the NCCA