By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
TWO Dandenong priests have spoken in favour of helping asylum seekers in the face of the looming deportation of more than 260 asylum seekers – including 37 babies – to Nauru.
Rev Jeffrey Parker, of St James’ Anglican Church, said his parish was too small to give sanctuary for asylum seekers – as was offered by at least 10 churches nationwide.
“In terms of people occupying the church, it would be problematic. In a cathedral there would be more room, more areas for people to reside.”
The church still offered support to the disadvantaged such as a free meal on Mondays, he said.
Rev Parker praised those who were prepared to test the “ancient principle of sanctuary” – as described by the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce.
“The news was pretty striking that these kids (in off-shore detention) are the most traumatised cases the experts have seen.
“We can’t in all conscience remove those people to Nauru.”
He hoped Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton would hold to his word not to send children back into harm’s way.
“The lack of transparency is the worst aspect of the whole thing.”
Rev Parker told of being left speechless when he met an Afghan new arrival at the church recently. The man had been in detention for two years since arriving by boat, his former house had been destroyed and he had little prospect of getting his family over here.
“There’s a lot of talk about stopping drownings at sea which is a very important consideration.
“But to stop them by extra cruelty is very problematic.
“Surely there’s a better way.”
Father Declan O’Brien of St Mary’s Catholic Church said he was inspired by Pope Francis’s declaration that “every convent and every parish house should be open as a place of welcome” to asylum seekers.
To him it’s about acting in a Christ-like fashion.
“At the end of the day, you ask what would have Jesus done? He would offer sanctuary.”
If asylum seekers asked for sanctuary from Australian Border Force minions, Fr O’Brien said he’d hope to have the “courage of my convictions and do the same (as Jesus)”.
One church in Melbourne – St John’s Uniting Church in Essendon – has pledged sanctuary as part of the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce.
“Where a state is causing grievous harm, churches can provide sanctuary and immunity from arrest by authorities,” said the taskforce’s chairman, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt.
“The legality of sanctuary has never been tested under Australian law, nevertheless we are determined to apply its moral precepts and protect the most vulnerable from certain harm.”
