"but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love."

(Ephesians 4:15-16) 

Over the past 10 days, the Christian Conference of Asia has held its 15th General Assembly in Kottayam in Kerala state of India.   

One consistent theme in the Assembly presentation and discussions was the impact of climate change, development and government policies on the First Peoples of Asia.  

It is a reality that these indigenous communities lack access to decision making systems and are treated without sensitivity or fairness. The cry for land, justice and recognition was common. It was impossible to not connect these themes with the reality of our own First Peoples of Australia. It is hard to comprehend the way that indigenous peoples are treated and marginalised. 

The Voice, at the core of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, if approved in the Referendum on 14 October 2023, opens up new opportunities for conversation and understanding.  The Voice will not be restricted or controlled by Australia’s political parties. It will have the freedom to say what is needed. This is an important opportunity that must not be lost. 

Paul’s description of the people of God as a body (Ephesians 4:15-16) serves as a reminder of the necessity of conversation, honesty, sensitivity and shared compassion.  

Paul assumes that the body has a dynamic of growth that all benefit from. It is what ‘speaking the truth in love’ means. Such ‘truth in love’ will not always be comfortable or easy to hear. Yet without it all of us will be the poorer. 

If we as Australians can begin to hear the Voice of Australia’s First Peoples then I have every confidence that we will all grow as a people.       

Rev John Gilmore

NCCA President 

Pictured: NCCA representatives at the CCA 15th General Assembly - Rev John Gilmore (left) with Fr Abanoub Attalla, centre (Coptic Orthodox Church) and Deacon Oliver Slewa, right, (Assyrian Church of the East)

Solidarity from the Churches in Asia (Christian Conference of Asia- CCA)

(5) We, the churches in Asia, together with member churches in Australia that include Indigenous Australians as well as peoples in solidarity with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders: 

• Urge the Asian Diaspora in Australia to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and to vote in favour of enshrining a Voice to Parliament for the First Peoples of the land now called Australia; 
• Encourage CCA member constituencies and organisations to continue raising awareness and engagement among their local communities, especially those with links to Australia, in relation to the ongoing struggle for indigenous Australians’ self-determination; and 
• Encourage the CCA to continue to stand in solidarity with First Peoples and indigenous peoples across Asia.

[from the Christian Conference of Asia, 15th CCA General Assembly, Public Issues - Statement 01]

What is the referendum question?

On referendum day, voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question. The question will be: