In stunned silence, we stand in solidarity with our Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh friends and those of all faith traditions and none, at this time of national tragedy.
As we emerge from this horrific affront to all we value and hold dear as Australians, the need for an understanding of our common humanity, expressions of compassion, and the need to exercise great wisdom, has never been so clear.
Common Humanity: The realisation that ‘just like me, no one deserves to suffer’ and ‘just like me, everyone deserves to be safe and happy’.
Compassion. The courage to enter into and, respond to, the depths of the human experience.
Wisdom. The sane appreciation of what is and the clarity to bring into realisation what can be.
In the words of the Charter for Compassion.
“We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings, even those regarded as enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarised world”.
We can (and must) do better - it takes every one of us, in our homes, work & worship places, and communities, if we are to become a truly compassionate continent. And so let it be!
(On behalf of the Australian Compassion Council of the global Charter for Compassion, Australia)
Thank you for your valued role in supporting and encouraging an understanding and expressions of common humanity, compassion, and wisdom, through your life-work and the Charter - the need has never been more evident.
With deep sadness, healing prayers and (a faltering) hope-filled faith,
Terry Ayling
Global Charter for Compassion, Australia
