UCA Members Support the March for Humanity
The Moderator Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau joined thousands on 3 August and walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a peaceful and public act of solidarity now known as the March for Humanity.
The Moderator Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau joined thousands on 3 August and walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a peaceful and public act of solidarity now known as the March for Humanity. The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has chosen to officially endorse this event, which is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the end of occupation and a just and lasting peace.
“Any culture, religion or community that lets starvation of children happen, we stand together to say this is not OK,” the Moderator said live from the March. “We are calling for peace and ceasefire in the Middle East, with thousands of other today in Gaza. The Walk for Humanity, we stand together for what is good. God Bless you all, peace.”
At its July meeting, the Uniting Church Assembly Standing Committee adopted the recent statement of the World Council of Churches Central Committee on Palestine and Israel as the official position of the Uniting Church Assembly.
This powerful statement, 'A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation and Impunity in Palestine and Israel', was released at the June WCC Central Committee meeting in Johannesburg. It reflects two years of consultation with churches in the Middle East and the church in Palestine. It offers a clear moral witness at a time of unbearable suffering and humanitarian catastrophe.
"In adopting the WCC statement, we reaffirm our deep solidarity with the people of Palestine, and all who long for a just peace in the Holy Land. We stand ready to listen to the cries of the oppressed, to centre the voices of our ecumenical and interfaith partners, and to act with moral courage and compassion."
In a statement on 2 August about the Assembly's decision, Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli writes: "As a Church, we know that solidarity cannot be limited to words. We are called to live out our prayers and convictions in public."
"To Uniting Church members who choose to participate, I encourage you to march peacefully and with integrity. Be clear about the message you carry. If you walk under the banner of the Uniting Church, let it be a banner of justice, love and hope."
"We recognise that the crisis in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people weighs heavily on many hearts across our Church and community. The grief is immense; the injustice is profound and the longing for peace is urgent. We also know that this moment stirs deep emotions and difficult questions including how we engage in ways that honour our values, our relationships, and our Christian witness."
"Let me be clear: our support for this event is not driven by political ideology. It is grounded in our discipleship - our call to follow the crucified and risen Christ who stands with the oppressed, weeps with the broken, and calls us to be peacemakers in a hurting world."
"As we march, we carry with us the voices of our Palestinian Christian partners who have asked us not to look away. We march with deep respect for our Jewish neighbours, rejecting all forms of antisemitism, islamophobia, and racism. We march with a longing for peace that embraces every person in the Holy Land."
