April 18, 1998
CONTACT Baptist Churches of WA - Family News Magazine May 1998, Vol. 42 No. 4. " Apology Offered"
Meeting at the Autumn Assembly of our Baptist Union at Maida Vale on April 18, an overwhelming majority of delegates agreed to endorse a document of apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The apology, put together by a working group appointed by Executive after a resolution passed at the Annual Assembly, reads....
"We Baptists of Western Australia are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering of Aboriginal peoples caused by the occupation of Western Australia by Europeans over the past two centuries, and the consequent deprivation of the territory of indigenous peoples.
We acknowledge that many non-Aboriginal Australians have wrongly believed that Australia was settled peacefully. We acknowledge that Australia's indigenous peoples consider that European settlement constituted invasion. We acknowledge that their humanity, culture, freedom and faith were not respected. Atrocities were perpetrated on them. While there were Europeans including some Christians who deplored the evil they did not act effectively to change the situation.
We further acknowledge that European settlers failed to realise the existence of cohesive Aboriginal communities. These indigenous peoples lived in extended family groups occupying and using particular parts of the country. They had a strong spiritual attachment to the land. The deprivation of their land resulted in the widespread destruction of their communities and traditional family bonding, particularly in the south of the State. Without a recognised place in their family networks. Aboriginal peoples were denied the possibility of a whole identity.
For many years, this already fragmented identity was further eroded by official government policies which resulted in many children being taken away from their families and put in institutions. This caused enormous distress to both parents and children. This also resulted in several generations of children being raised with little or no knowledge of traditional Aboriginal family life, running their own homes or effective parenting.
We Baptists of Western Australia have failed to demonstrate adequately the love of God towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All peoples are created in his image, are loved by Him, and are equal before Him. We acknowledge our sins and ask God's forgiveness.
We sincerely apologise for the inadequacy of our stand against oppressive government policies and inappropriate community attitudes, towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, during the twentieth century.
As Christians who are sincerely endeavouring to follow the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, we offer this apology to you, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we ask your forgiveness. We commit ourselves to work with you towards reconciliation."
Signed by the President in accordance with the Special Resolution passed at the Assembly of Baptist Churches of Western Australia dated April 18, 1998.
