Winner Schools ‘End Racism’ Competition Ireland – 1st Place Image - by Emily Grimes - Photo: Sarah MacDonald
Harmony Day is celebrated annually on March 21 in Australia. Harmony Day began in 1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Australia is a vibrant, multicultural country. We are home to Australia’s First Nations People, the world's oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries. This rich, cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
Harmony Day is about celebrating and lifting up Australia’s rich, cultural diversity, giving thanks for each person’s ancestral story and how this story is a part of the Australian story. Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
In his Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship, Pope Francis says, “Each of us can learn something from others.” (n.215) The Pope stresses the richness of dialogue and the blessings received when people engage in dialogue. The Pope says: “Dialogue can lead to building bridges between people with different values. Authentic social dialogue involves the ability to respect the other’s point of view and to admit that it may include legitimate convictions and concerns.” (n.203). “Other cultures are not enemies from which we need to protect ourselves, but differing reflections of the richness of human life.” (n.147)
Racism is an obstacle to true dialogue and blocks the light and compassion born of kindness. As we mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination the words of Pope Francis call us to action in eliminating all forms of racial discrimination.
Pope Francis reminds us about the virtue of kindness. He says that kindness, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, is in urgent need of recovery. “Kindness frees us from the cruelty that infects human relationships, the anxiety that prevents us from welcoming others, the frantic flurry of activity that forgets another’s need. Once kindness becomes a culture within society, it transforms lifestyles and the way we communicate with one another.” (n.223-224)
Racism is an obstacle to true dialogue and blocks the light and compassion born of kindness. As we mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination the words of Pope Francis call us to action in eliminating all forms of racial discrimination. Racism, says Pope Francis, “is a virus that quickly mutates and instead of disappearing, goes into hiding and lurks in waiting. The world exists for everyone because all of us were born with the same dignity. Differences of color, religion, talent, place of birth or residence cannot justify the privileges of some over the rights of others.” (n.118)
In his recent book, “Let us Dream: The path to a better future”, Pope Francis says: “The Spirit always preserves the legitimate plurality of different groups and points of view, reconciling them in their diversity”. However, at times, says Pope Francis, the human spirit goes against the Spirit of God, “A charitable openness to the other is replaced by a clinging to the supposed superiority of one’s own ideas. Unity is undermined by a battle between different parties who struggle to impose the hegemony of their ideas”.
The Instrumentum Laboris, the working document of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia - Continuing the Journey (accessed below) – speaks to the rich cultural diversity alive in Australia (n.36, 89). It highlights the call to interfaith dialogue among Australian’s from different faith traditions, and Pope Francis’ call, in his Encyclical Laudato Si – on care for our common home, for an ecological conversion in the hearts of all humanity by way of an integral ecology (n.189) that sees the interconnectedness and harmony between humanity and all of creation (n.186).
On March 11, The Sydney Statement (www.thesydneystatement.org.au), an interfaith charter for building bridges between believers from different religions, was launched at the Sydney Town Hall. The Sydney Statement is unique in that it is led by youth from different religions who share their dream for the future. On care for our common home, The Statement says: “The world and all its life forms are interconnected, as the 2020 coronavirus pandemic has shown. Human beings, as free and responsible agents, have a particular duty of care for our common home, its earth, waters, air, climate, biodiversity and ecosystems.” As we celebrate Harmony Day in Australia, we congratulate the group of inspirational youth, and all those who worked with them and supported them, in preparing this bold and ambitious Statement.
Columban Fr Kevin O'Neill is currently on the Peace, Ecology and Justice (PEJ) Team at St Columban's, Essendon.
Related links
- Read: Instrumentum Laboris
- Media Release - Winners announced in Columban 'End Racism' competition - Britain and Ireland
Winners of Schools ‘End Racism’ Competition - Britain – 1st Place Image - ‘We are equal’ by Esther Ojobaro - Photo: Ellen Teague
