Church and Deaths in Custody in Brisbane

Written by CTIPP Tuesday, 17 April 2012 16:53

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Photo courtesy of Murri Ministry.Photo courtesy of Murri Ministry.

There was a positive atmosphere on the 11th of April at Justice Place as Ravina Waldren (Coordinator of Murri Ministries) and Peter Arndt (Executive Officer of Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission) presented to a number of church workers the message about the rising number of Deaths in Custody and inform people of what they can do individually and within their churches to make a difference. 

It was evident that this is a major concern within the Aboriginal community as it brought together a large number of the South East Aboriginal church workers and the wider community.  Other issues were also discussed from well known Aboriginal community members such as the ‘Tent Embassy Movement’ evident in Musgrave Park and the recent happenings down in Logan. 

CTIPP exists because there is a need to give voice to the first peoples of Australia within our Christian churches.  The Aboriginal community having been fighting this fight for too long and it is only getting worse.  It was agreed last night that we need to work together with our non Indigenous brothers and sisters to make a change.  The support of the church community is crucial.

CTIPP plans to organise more of these presentations in the future so that church members will hear with their heart and help to change this injustice.  If you would like further information please contact CTIPP.  Below is a list of suggestions of what you can do:

  • Let others in your church, school and workplace know about the on-going scandal of black deaths in custody
  • Invite Indigenous speakers to come to your church or school to talk about black deaths in custody
  • Contact your local State and Federal MPs and Senators and ask them to take action to address the rising Indigenous imprisonment rates and on-going deaths in custody
  • Ask your MPs to push for an audit of Government implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations and the deaths in custody which have occurred in the last two decades
  • Urge your MP to support the establishment of a fully funded National Deaths in Custody Watch Committee
  • Participate in the fortnightly Deaths in Custody Campaign meetings (Contact the Murri Ministry Team or the CJPC for more details).
  • Donate to the ‘Funeral Pantry’ to help assist families with basic tea/coffee supplies


Georgia Corowa 
Churches Together Indigenous Peoples Partnership, Coordinator 
3369 6792 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it