30 Mar 2023
By The Record
The annual Walk for Refugees is on again this Palm Sunday.
The annual event will commence at St George’s Cathedral on Sunday 2 April starting at 1pm and is organised by several Christian faith groups and various agencies including the Archdiocese of Perth’s Justice, Ecology and Development Office (JEDO).
The annual walk for refugees takes place every Palm Sunday, in prayer and service against the horrors of war and persecution that forces people to flee their homes.
Speaking in 2017, JEDO Director, Carol Mitchell said the Palm Sunday Walk was an important event in the agency’s calendar.
“It’s a time when we can walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who had to seek refuge, safety or asylum due to dire circumstances in their home country,” she said.
“It’s a time when we can give hope to those in detention on Manus Island and Nauru, to let them know they are not forgotten and that they matter to us.
“That we will continue to keep them in our minds, hearts and our actions.”
“In particular, opening people’s hearts to refugees and others in difficult circumstances was a way of connecting to the teachings of Jesus,” she added.
“It’s also a time when we can welcome the perceived stranger who comes knocking on our door, demonstrating our faith and being people of welcome and hospitality,” Ms Mitchell said.
“At a time when there is increasing media coverage of those wanting to build walls and barriers where there are differences, we can be people of hope building bridges and celebrating cultural and religious diversity.
“Critically, it’s important for us to remember that a life lived according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has a commitment to social justice as an essential characteristic. Through our faith, we are called to such action.”
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