A leading indigenous Sydney Anglican is calling on churches to play a key role in tomorrow’s annual Sorry Day by helping to make it a National Day of Healing for all Australians.

The co-chair of the National Sorry Day Committee and chairperson of the Sydney Anglican Indigenous Committee, Ray Minniecon, believes churches have an important role to play in seeing this healing come about.

"The churches had a role in the stolen generation. They were a party to the forced removal policies," he says.

Mr Minniecon acknowledges many congregations have apologised for their role in the Stolen Generation, but believes the church overall has failed to be a voice for Aboriginal concerns.

“The churches have failed miserably in helping indigenous people find healing,” he says.

“They are on the reconciliation bandwagon and talking about healing, but to have one side talking about healing while others are still hurting " the churches need to address that.”

On behalf of the National Sorry Day Committee, Ray Minniecon is calling for Sorry Day " May 26 " tp become a National Day of Healing for all Australians.

“The stolen generations cannot heal in isolation. Their healing depends on, and contributes to, healing among the wider Indigenous community,” he says.

“And healing among Indigenous Australians depends on, and contributes to, healing in the non-Indigenous community.”

Biblical principles form the basis for this National Day of Healing, according to Mr Minniecon who is also director of Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries in Redfern.

"The National Day of Healing was something instituted thousands of years ago in Old Testament times. The whole community made the decision to confess their sins and make atonement."
"The church today has a vital part to play in bringing out truth, righteousness and justice in the community," he says.

Mr Minniecon is encouraging Sydney Anglicans to attend Sorry Day events across the city including a celebration of indigenous culture at First Fleet Park from 2pm featuring stories, songs, music and dancing.

There will be a meeting in the Museum of Contemporary Art at 6pm, chaired by Linda Burney, MP with speakers Senator Aden Ridgeway and Mike de Gagne.

"I would like to see all Sydney Anglicans support the National Day of Healing by coming out and meeting stolen generation members who can tell their stories to help the healing process."

The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998 " one year after the tabling of the report Bringing Them Home which was the result of an inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.