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HEARTLAND - eNews from LCA Bishop John Henderson

24 November 2016

White Ribbon Day

Dear Friends,

Friday 25th November is White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We recognise that violence against women is a tragedy that is present across the world, including Australia. In Australia, on average, one woman is killed every week by her current or former partner, and one in three women have experienced physical violence or abuse since the age of fifteen. We also know that some groups of women, such as indigenous women, women with disabilities and the elderly, experience higher rates of violence than others.

Violence takes many forms: physical, verbal, psychological and sexual abuse, to deliberately isolating women and even misusing Scripture to dominate and belittle women. There are many causes for such violence, but the complexity of the causes does not excuse or legitimate such behaviour. Violence can flow both ways, but in the large majority of cases it is inflicted upon women by men.

Since we recognise that violence against women is so universal, we must acknowledge that it exists also within our church, and that it is not pleasing to God. That’s why, at the LCA General Synod in 2015, the LCA reaffirmed its condemnation of all forms of violence in the family and authorised the General Church Council to commit resources for a church-wide campaign to address the prevalence of family violence among us. The campaign may include sharing of resources, education initiatives, and pastoral care to the survivors of violence and the perpetrators of abuse. We want to encourage Lutheran congregations, families, communities and institutions to truly be places where, in the words of the LCA motto, ‘love comes to life’.

In a society and time when women were regarded as the property of men, Jesus treated women with equality and dignity. He numbered them among his followers; when women were not allowed to speak with men in public Jesus spoke freely with them; when women were not allowed to be educated Jesus let them sit at his feet and learn. In his kingdom women are equal citizens. ‘Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother’ (Mark 3:35). As Jesus fully accepts women into his kingdom, without distinction, we will also seek to give all women and girls that same acceptance, respect, dignity and love, beginning with the members of our families, our partners, and members of our church, work and social communities.

I pray that our church families and communities will live and model Christ-filled relationships of peace and mutual servanthood; that we will recognise the many ways that we act and speak violently, even unintentionally; that we will find effective and caring ways of preventing violence against women and girls in our church family; that women and girls who are the victims of violence may be physically, psychologically and spiritually restored; that perpetrators, including those of us who unwittingly participate in violence, may see the evil we have done, repent of our actions, and radically change our attitudes and behaviours; and that those organisations and workers who provide refuge and support for abused women and girls continue to be sustained in their endeavours.

To that end, I commend White Ribbon Day, 25th November 2016, to the members of the LCA, in the spirit of our 2015 Synod Resolution to address the prevalence of family violence that occurs, even among the family of God.

John Henderson
Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand
Together with the LCA/NZ Commission on Social and Bioethical Questions


[If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, visit ANROWS Get Support Website or call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the 24-hour national Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line. In an emergency, call 000. There is also a Handbook on Domestic Violence on the Lutheran Community Care website. In the coming months the LCA campaign will provide more information and resources on Domestic and Family Violence.]


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