Statement on Afghanistan and the welcoming
of refugees to Australia
The present situation in Afghanistan requires an urgent response, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Geoff Smith said today.
That response includes prayer, particularly for the most vulnerable such as women, those who have assisted Western Forces, minority tribes, and all people of Afghanistan whose human rights are threatened at this time.
"We must also pray for the safety of our ADF members currently deployed to evacuate Australians and Afghans. And we also pray for Afghanistan that it might know peace security and unity," he said.
"We express our deepest sympathy with the families of Afghan background in Australia and embrace them with our solidarity.
"We also urge the Australian government to do all it can to ensure safe passage for Afghan citizens, particularly those who assisted Australian troops in Afghanistan over the past 20 years."
Urgent response also involves the Australian community readying itself to welcome, receive and include refugees from Afghanistan, who hopefully will begin to arrive in Australia very soon, the Primate said.
The Primate also urged Australians to pray for and support the 36,000 veterans who have deployed to Afghanistan over the past 20 years, who will be deeply affected by recent events, and for those family members who have lost loved ones or who have had loved ones wounded or emotionally affected in some way.
"Despite what occurs in Afghanistan now, we pray that they may know we are thankful for their service and sacrifice."
