On Easter Sunday\u00a0I spoke out for Tasmanians to support asylum seekers who are\u00a0coming to a new detention centre near Hobart.<\/p>\n
The Mercury article accurately reported my view, see following, but I was deeply disappointed at the ‘Comments’. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised at the tone of the comments but how difficult it is to get gracious and reasoned conversation and engagement over issues where differences of opinion are held.<\/p>\n
Too readily Good Friday corners our conversation and confronts the hope of\u00a0Easter Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Article in the Mercury is by CRAIG HOGGETT |<\/strong> April 25, 2011 12.01am and it reads:<\/p>\n \u00a0ANGLICAN Bishop John Harrower has called on Tasmanians to show compassion for asylum seekers as debate rages over plans for a detention centre near Hobart.<\/p>\n After joining other church leaders for the traditional Easter Sunday parade around Hobart yesterday, Bishop Harrower said he was disappointed to hear about anti-Muslim sentiment at a public meeting at Pontville last week.<\/p>\n Locals at the meeting spoke out against the Federal Government’s move to set up a temporary detention centre at Pontville.<\/p>\n Bishop Harrower said people needed to separate the decision about where to house detainees from the people themselves.<\/p>\n He said he was saddened to hear that Brighton parish minister Kaye Paice was booed for speaking out during the meeting on Thursday night.<\/p>\n “I would like to think Tasmanians would open their hearts, not necessarily to the process, but embrace the asylum seekers,” Bishop Harrower said.<\/p>\n “We can be critical of the decision by the Federal Government, certainly.<\/p>\n “But we need to give the people Tasmanian hospitality and make them feel welcome.”<\/p>\n Bishop Harrower pointed to his friendship with Hobart Muslim leader Imam Sabri Samson as an example of tolerance.<\/p>\n On the eve of Anzac Day, the ecumenical parade combined the religious message of Easter with the selfless story of stretcher bearer John Simpson and his donkey in World War I.<\/p>\n Christians of every denomination celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a day of family fun at Parliament Lawns.<\/p>\n See the Mercury article plus photo and comments, Call to open hearts on asylum. <\/a><\/p>\n Interestingly I reread an article I wrote just\u00a02 years ago around ANZAC Day, When it comes to boat people whatever happened to concern for the underdog?<\/a> Sadly, it seems that little has changed\u00a0these past two years.\u00a0<\/p>\n An informative response to some popular but incorrect views on asylum seekers, Refugee Mythbusting Animation – GetUp!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Easter Sunday\u00a0I spoke out for Tasmanians to support asylum seekers who are\u00a0coming to a new detention centre near Hobart. The Mercury article accurately reported my view, see following, but I was deeply disappointed at the ‘Comments’. Perhaps I shouldn’t … Continue reading