The Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen has thrown his support behind a call for NSW Anglican bishops to meet the Premier to push for prison reform.
At the weekend NSW Provincial Synod overwhelmingly passed a motion requesting the Bishops of the province seek interviews with both Premier Morris Iemma and opposition leader Barry O’Farrell to express concern about prison policy.
In his presidential address to the synod Dr Jensen acknowledged that prisons are not a popular vote-winning cause but stressed that all Anglican bishops must keep this matter on the agenda of politicians.
"Amongst the vulnerable people in our state, those in prison particularly deserve our concern as Christians. Here we see how our society deliberately treats people it has in its care," he says.
A spokesperson for the Premier did not indicate any willingness on the part of Mr Iemma to participate in such a meeting with the Archbishop and other bishops in the near future.
However, he says a meeting could easily be organised with the three relevant government ministers.
"I'm sure a meeting could be organised with the ministers for health, for justice and for mental health," he says.
Archbishop Jensen stated there are too many people in custody, particularly from the mentally ill and indigenous populations.
"I am glad to say that there is a commitment by many Christians to the detained which works at very practical levels," he says.
"But more needs to be done to help the process of release back into the community.
The motion’s resolution also requested that the Sydney Diocese's Social Issues Executive provide a set of resources to each bishop and encouraged the bishops to consult with their Anglican prison chaplains before any suggested meetings occur.
The discussion gave the opportunity for representatives from all dioceses to share accounts about prison chaplaincy work around NSW.
Provincial synod boosts community
The NSW Provincial Synod was held at the Merroo conference centre in Kurrajong last Friday and Saturday.
The twice-a-decade Synod saw the gathering of representatives from the seven Anglican dioceses of NSW.
Each of the diocesan bishops gave reports on the work and initiatives being done in their churches as well as insights into the difficulties they were facing.
The Archbishop's media officer, Deaconess Margaret Rodgers says these reports gave all 73 synod members present a better understanding of one another's diocese.
"Each report was well received with everybody contributing and getting on well," she says.
The synod passed two other motions moved by Ms Anne Scamp and seconded by Ms Rodgers, one that recognised and promoted the equal participation of women in decision-making and another that encouraged churches to better address the issue of domestic violence.
The synod also passed a motion on therapeutic cloning and related research, moved by the Registrar of the Sydney Diocese Dr Philip Selden, stating that the process fails to recognise the value and purpose God assigns to human life, and encouraged Christians to write to their representatives in the NSW Parliament to express these views prior to the parliamentary debate.
