WA: Primate calls for recognition of stolen generation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2000
WA: Primate calls for recognition of stolen generation

PERTH, April 19 AAP - The Anglican Primate of Australia, Archbishop Peter Carnley,
said today acknowledging the existence of the stolen generation was essential to advance
the reconciliation process.

In his Easter message, Archbishop Carnley described as "insensitive and regrettable"

the recent "pedantic" suggestion that the percentage of children who were removed does
not warrant the use of the term stolen generation.

"It seems to me that what is at issue is not what percentage of the population was
abused and robbed of its cultural inheritance," Archbishop Carnley said.

"What is at issue is the integrity of a nation whose official public policies have
been described in the report Bringing Them Home to have not only been racist but genocidal
- it is clear those policies were partly motivated by an attempt to achieve the elimination
of Aboriginality."

He said denial of the stolen generation only deepened the divisions between Aborigines
and other Australians.

"At this time we urge all Australians to embrace the work of reconciliation as one
of the very highest priorities in our national life," Archbishop Carnley said.

AAP alm/sd/bdm

KEYWORD: STOLEN CARNLEY

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