THE debate over the Lord’s Prayer – an Anglican prayer recited in parliaments around the country has been reignited by new federal MP Rob Oakeshott.
Oakeshott, an independent from New South Wales, said he was “surprised and disappointed” that Australia’s indigenous population is not recognised daily in Canberra.
In response, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins called for public debate over whether the Lord’s Prayer should continue to be recited each day by all parliamentarians. He suggested that the prayer might be rewritten or replaced.
Robert Goot, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, explained that his organisation does not have a set policy on the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. He said that the group’s executive would discuss the matter shortly.
Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV), said it had discussed the matter with former Victorian premier Steve Bracks. The RCV recommended that a generic prayer be introduced, which would be acceptable to members of all faiths.
While the Victorian Parliament opted to retain the Lord’s Prayer, Rabbi Kluwgant said that he nevertheless feels it is “crucial” for some sort of prayer to be recited before each parliamentary session.
The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader – both of whom are Christians – this week expressed their support for retaining the Lord’s Prayer.
“Opening the Australian Parliament each day with the Lord’s Pray is an important reminder of our shared humanity and a reference to the words of our constitution when “humbly relying on the blessing of the Almighty God” we established the Commonwealth of Australia over 100 years ago,” Turnbull said via a statement.
Greens leader Senator Bob Brown suggested that after the Lord’s Prayer has been recited, senators and MPs should be given a moment to reflect on “the privileges and responsibilities of representing Australians in our national parliament”.
He also endorsed Oakeshott’s call to recognise the first Australians.
In 1997, Senator Brown called for a review of the Lord’s Prayer. continues here
Oakeshott, an independent from New South Wales, said he was “surprised and disappointed” that Australia’s indigenous population is not recognised daily in Canberra.
In response, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins called for public debate over whether the Lord’s Prayer should continue to be recited each day by all parliamentarians. He suggested that the prayer might be rewritten or replaced.
Robert Goot, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, explained that his organisation does not have a set policy on the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. He said that the group’s executive would discuss the matter shortly.
Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV), said it had discussed the matter with former Victorian premier Steve Bracks. The RCV recommended that a generic prayer be introduced, which would be acceptable to members of all faiths.
While the Victorian Parliament opted to retain the Lord’s Prayer, Rabbi Kluwgant said that he nevertheless feels it is “crucial” for some sort of prayer to be recited before each parliamentary session.
The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader – both of whom are Christians – this week expressed their support for retaining the Lord’s Prayer.
“Opening the Australian Parliament each day with the Lord’s Pray is an important reminder of our shared humanity and a reference to the words of our constitution when “humbly relying on the blessing of the Almighty God” we established the Commonwealth of Australia over 100 years ago,” Turnbull said via a statement.
Greens leader Senator Bob Brown suggested that after the Lord’s Prayer has been recited, senators and MPs should be given a moment to reflect on “the privileges and responsibilities of representing Australians in our national parliament”.
He also endorsed Oakeshott’s call to recognise the first Australians.
In 1997, Senator Brown called for a review of the Lord’s Prayer. continues here
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