Join our urgent call

Welcome. Protect. Reunite. Support.

We, the Australian Church, are calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly to protect people from Afghanistan, reunite families, and welcome a special refugee intake of 20,000 men, women and children to Australia.

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As the crisis in Afghanistan unfolds, Christians from across the Church, alongside a wider public movement, are being moved to speak boldly to our national leaders to provide urgent action for the well being of refugees from Afghanistan.

A call to:

Welcome refugees from Afghanistan

Declare an intake of an additional 20,000 refugees focused on those most at risk from the Taliban (just as the UK and Canada have announced and like Australia did in 2015 for 12,000 refugees from Syria). And provide additional resources to Home Affairs immigration and settlement services, to ensure the continued processing of claims from other refugee communities.

A call to:

Protect people from afghanistan in Australia

Grant permanent protection to all people from Afghanistan in Australia on temporary protection visas or currently awaiting application outcomes.

A call to:

Reunite refugee families

Make immediate arrangements to bring the families of refugees from Afghanistan to Australia.

A call to:

Support through humanitarian aid

Provide additional emergency and long-term support through reputable NGOs and organisations working in the region.

This is a loud and urgent call from Christians across all walks of life and perspectives, united in concern for the well-being of the Afghanistan community.

“Australia has a long tradition of generously resettling refugees and displaced persons who flee their home countries due to war, conflict and violence. Australia has changed for the better with each successive wave of new arrivals, because people like me have brought our determination and drive for a better future.”

— Bishop Vincent Long, Catholic Bishop of Parramatta

“I’m calling on the Australian Government to be as compassionate as we can be in responding to the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan. Jesus said “love your neighbour as yourself”, and after 20 years in Afghanistan, we should have no hesitation saying they are our neighbours.”

— Kanishka Raffel, Sydney Anglican Archbishop

“Given Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan, it is now essential we act, and act fast, to support Afghans who have supported us and protect those at serious risk of persecution and violence by increasing our Afghan refugee and humanitarian intake to 20,000 places”

— Janet Cousens, CEO Act for Peace

“Our Christian call to love our neighbours takes more than words – it takes action to love someone. These lands now called Australia must be known as a place of compassion and welcome for those who need safety.”

— Brooke Prentis, CEO Common Grace and Aboriginal Christian Leader

“There is no doubt the Bible is not a policy document. It certainly does not stipulate humanitarian policy quotas. However, it is radical in its acceptance of the stranger (refugee) and why God’s heart is particularly set for their plight.”

— Rev Tim Costello, Micah Australia Director, Senior Fellow CPX

“JRS Australia has served, accompanied, and advocated for and with people from Afghanistan for many years and stands in solidarity with the diaspora in this time of extraordinary pain and need. We call on the Australian Government to show leadership and compassion by scaling its efforts to protect people from Afghanistan.”

— Tamara Domicelj, Country Director, Jesuit Refugee Service Australia

“When Jesus saw the huge, harassed and helpless crowd, Jesus, then as now, was full of practical compassion and looked after them (Mt 9:36). Thus, in Holy Spirit, we will look after vulnerable Afghan people, as best we can and in partnership with our Government. Jesus have mercy.”

— Bishop Philip Huggins, NCCA President

“Our faith calls us to live out the Christian values of compassion, generosity, and hospitality for all people. As a country, as Churches, Christians and Australians we must do all we can to share these values with the people of Afghanistan.”

— Rob Floyd, Chair of Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce

“WorldShare is deeply concerned about the plight of the Afghan people and in particular those who are now facing likely violence and retribution. We are committed to caring for those who are outcast and forgotten and we pray that Australia will be a country of protection, refuge and hope for vulnerable Afghans at this urgent time.”

— Joanna Mansfield, CEO WorldShare

“We live in a troubled world, but every so often we see a moment of such intense trouble that it demands our special attention. Australia has often stepped forward at such times to do what we can, for those who are persecuted, displaced, and hurting. Afghanistan is such a moment.”

— Martyn Iles, Managing Director, Australian Christian Lobby

“If we are to take our faith and shared humanity seriously, then one of the most important things we can be doing is speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves. But speaking also needs to be translated into effective and generous actions and that means increasing our humanitarian response and refugee intake.”

— Melissa Lipsett, Acting CEO Baptist World Aid Australia

“As followers of Jesus, we believe each person is precious and loved by God. Right now, the scale of this crisis requires us to work together to provide protection and refuge to those who are in danger.”

— Rev Sharon Hollis, Uniting Church in Australia President

“The situation in Afghanistan has horrified us all. We believe that in our privileged nation, we have the opportunity to do whatever we can to respond with kindness and mercy, to assist those desperate to leave Afghanistan.”

— Wayne Alcorn, ACC National President

“Our obligation as a wealthy nation demands that we must bring people who supported us during the conflict to Australia; give permanent protection to Afghans already here; and give additional places to Afghan refugees including the families of people already here.”

— Claire Victory, National President, St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia

Christian organisations who have signed the call:

Churches who have signed the call:

A2A
Abundant Life Church
Afghan church
Afghan house church
Aintree Micro Church
All Saints Anglican Church, Greensborough
Allsaints Pakistani Church
Anchor Church Sydney
Anglican Church of Australia
Anglican Church Southern Queensland
Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Anglican Diocese of Riverina
Anglican Parish of Altona/Laverton
Anglican Parish of Barham
Anglican Parish of Bodalla Narooma
Anglican Parish of Bungendore
Anglican Parish of Maleny
Anglicans in the Borough of Queenscliff
Armadale Congregational Church
ASHBURTON BAPTIST CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Aspley Albany Creek Anglican Parish
Assyrian Church of the East
St. John’s Anglican Church
Australia Samoan Christian Life Centre
Ballina Uniting Church
Baptist church
Baruch Ministries
Bathurst Uniting Church
Bay Christian Church
Bayside Church
Bellevue Baptist Church
Berowra Baptist Church
Blacktown Uniting Church
Blue Mountains Deanery Pastoral Council Catholic Diocese Parramatta
Brougham Place Uniting
Brunswick Uniting Church
C3 Thirroul
Cabramatta Vineyard Church
Campbelltown Presbyterian Church
Canberra Baptist Church
Canterbury Baptist Church
Carey Baptist Church
Catholic Church St Bede’s
Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst
CCCV LifeSpring
Central Church Port Kembla
Central Villages Anglican Church, Lawson
Charnwood Anglican Church
Chasah
Chelsea Community Church of Christ
Chester Hill Anglican
Christ Church
Christian Life Church Kyogle
Church by the bridge kirribilli
Churches from the Diocese of Darwin
City Baptist Church
City North Baptist Church
City on a Hill
CityLife Church
CityLight East Church
Clayton Wesley Uniting Church
Cleveland Uniting Church
Coffs Harbour Anglican
Community Church of St Mark
Connect Christian Church
Coptic Orthodox Church Sydney Diocese
Corowa Baptist Church
Cross & Crown: Melbourne
Cross Generation congregation of the Banyule Network of Uniting Churches
Crossroads Goonellabah
Croydon Uniting Church
Cudgegong Valley Anglican
Culburra Baptist
Dayspring Church
Diocese of Parramatta
Diocese of Wangaratta
Drnancourt Uniting
Echo Church
Encounter Church
Erina Community Baptist Church
Evans Head Presbyterian Church
Every Nation Brisbane
Every Nation Sydney City Church
Everyday Church Inc
Faith Christian Church
Found Community
Four Seasons Gospel Church
Frenchs Forest Anglican Church
Generate Church
German Lutheran Church
GO Evangelical Church
Good Shepherd Anglican Church
GraceTree
Groundlevel Church
Harbourside Presbyterian
Hartwell Church of Christ
Heartbeat Church Regents Park
Herons Creek Chapel
HIllsong Church Australia
Hinterland Chapel
Holy Innocents Anglican
Holy Spirit Catholic Parish, St Clair-Erskine Park NSW
Hope Uc
Hope UC Newcastle
Hope Uniting Church
HopenetSA
HopeUC
HopeUC Maitland
Inner West Church
Inverloch Uniting Church
Kellyville Anglican Church
Kiama Anglican Church
Kiama Baptist Church
Kingsley Church of Christ
Kingston Uniting Church
Kippax Uniting Church
Leichhardt Uniting Church
Liberti Church Carrara
Liberty Family Church
Life Centre Church Caloundra
Lifepoint Church
LifeWay Baptist Church
Lighthouse
Lighthouse Church
Lighthouse Road Home Church
Living Waters Church Kyabram Rushworth
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Manly Uniting Church
Maroubra Baptist Church
Marrickville Baptist Church
Mary MacKillop Parish, Western Border.
Meeting Ground Church
Millicent Baptist Church
Moggill-Mt Crosby Anglican Parish
Mosaic Baptist Chruch
Mount Gambier Uniting Church
Nambour Christian Church
Narrabeen Baptist Church
Narraweena Baptist Church
NDCCCS
New City Church
NewCity Baptist Church
Newlife Church
Noosa Anglican
Northern Beaches Church of Christ
NorthernLife Baptist Church
Northridge Vineyard Church
Northside Baptist Church
Nyngan Baptist Fellowship
One In Christ Fellowship
Our Lady of the Nativity
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
Our Lady of the Way Catholic Parish (North Sydney, Lavender Bay and Kirribilli)
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Greystanes NSW
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Greystanes
Para Hills Uniting Church
Peacemaker Church
Pitt Street Uniting Church
Plentylife Anglican Church
Port Adelaide Uniting Church
Redcliffe Uniting Church
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers Victoria)
Renew Anglican Church
Richmond Uniting Church
Ringwood Church of Christ
Riverlands Christian Community
Riverlife Church
Rivers Church of Christ
Riverview Church
Rosewood Angl8can Parish
Roxby Downs Christian Community Church
Sacred Heart Parish Blackheath
Saint Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba
Seaforth Baptist Church
Shalom Family
Shire Salvos Menai (The Salvation Army)
Sophia’s Spring Uniting Church
South Coogee Anglican Church
Southern Cross Vineyard church
Southern Lights Church
SouthPoint Church of Christ
St Alban’s Anglican Mooroopna
St Albans Anglican Church
St Albans Cathedral
St Andrew by the Lake
St Andrew’s Anglican Parish of Indooroopilly
St Anne’s Strathfield
St Anthony of Padua Church, Toongabbie
St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Kingscliff
St Barnabas’ Anglican Church
St David’s UC, Haberfield,
St George’s Anglican Church
St George’s Anglican Church, Paddington
St James Anglican Church Berala
St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Lilydale
St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane
St Johns Batlow
St John’s Park Baptist Church
St Johns Sutherland
St Kilda / Elsternwick Baptist Church
St Luke’s Uniting
St Luke’s Catholic Faith Community
St Luke’s Miranda
St Martins Killara
St Mary in the Valley Anglican Church
St Mary’s Anglican Church Kangaroo Point
St Mary’s Anglican Church, Sunbury
St Marys Baptist Church
St Matthews West Pennant Hills
St Michael’s Catholic Church, Berwick
St Oswald’s Anglican Church
St Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta
St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Guildford
St Paul’s Sydney Lutheran Church
St Simon’s Anglican Kaleen Giralang Lawson
St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Sydney
St Vincent`s Parish Ashfield
St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Bundoora
St. Thomas the Apostle Chaldean Diocese of Australia and New Zealand
St.Andtews Presbyterian
Star Street Uniting Church
Steeple Church
Sunnybank Anglican Church
Tecoma Uniting Church
The Avenue Church of Christ
The Chapel Collective
The Heights Church
THE SALVATION ARMY, BELCONNEN CORPS
The Salvation Army, New Expressions
The Source Church Stirling
The Village Church Jindabyne
The Whitehouse Church
thornleigh community baptist church
Traralgon Anglican Parish
TRINITY NORTH UNITING CHURCH
Tuggeranong Uniting Church
Tweed Heads Presbyterian Church
Undenominational church of Christ
Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
Uniting church of australia
Wangaratta Wesleyan Methodist Church
Wembley Downs Church of Christ
Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church
Wesley Mission
Wesley Uniting Church, Geelong
West End Uniting Church
West Melbourne Baptist Church
Winepress
Yagoona Anglican Parish – church for all nations
Yass Uniting Church

Organisations who have signed the call:

Act for Peace
Acts 29
Amos Australia
Anglican Aid
ASIA PACIFIC NETWORK OF REFUGEES
Aspire Supervision
Australian Student Christian Movement
Baptist Association NSW & ACT
Bayside Community Care
Born To Win Relationships Training Institute
Bosco Social Justice Group/Friends of Maliana
Breathe Counselling
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Business by The Book
Canberra Region Presbytery, UCA
Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga
Catholic Mission
Catholic Religious Australia
Catholic Social Services Victoria
CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains
Charles Sturt University United Theological College Students’ Association
Chevalier Institute
Christian Faith & Freedom
Christian Students Uniting
Christians In Governance
Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners
CityLight Church
Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations
Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians)
Core Skill Focus Organization (CSFO)
Creative Freedom
Early Years Intercultural Association
End Child Detention Coalition Australia
Faith in Action
FAITH WORKS INTERNATIONAL
Forge Melbourne
Freedom Family
Geelong Inter-Church Social Justice Network
Hands of Grace Int. Inc.
Heart for Kids
Heartland Ministries Inc.
Hey Good Thing
Hope and Resilience Counselling Pty Ltd.
Hope Australia Soccer Academy
Hope cooperative
INCommunity Care Services
Inspiring Hope
Josephite Action Group
Josephite Justice Network
Justice and Peace Office Catholic Archdiocese
Justice and Peace Office Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
Kids Space
Lane Cove Uniting Church
Little Followers of St Francis
Loreto Sisters of Australia & SE Asia
Love Makes A Way
Loyola College Watsonia
Manna Gum
Marist BridgeBuilders
Matt Roberts Plumbing
Norlane community initiatives
NSW Ecumenical Council
Parramatta Diocesan Pastoral Council
Pastors Prayer Network
Pax Christi Australia
Quakers Australia
Rainbow Catholics InterAgency
Religions for Peace Australia
Roman Catholic Diocese of Townsville Qld
Sisters of the Goodsamaritan
Social Foundry
Social Responsibilities Committee, Anglican Church Southern Queensland
SPAG Magazine
St Brigid’s Social Justice Group Coogee
St Francis Social Services
St Therese Parisg, West Wollongong, Social Justice Group
St Vincent de Paul Society National Council
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW
St Vincent’s Ashfield Social Justice Group
Strategic Resource Training
Tasmanian Baptists
Thanh Nien Cong Giao Sydney
The Abbey Raymond Island
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid
The Christian and Missionary Alliance of Australia
The Urban Monastery
Trellis Oceania Foundation Ltd
Watersedge Counselling, Geelong
Watoto
Wellspring Community Inc
Wellsprings for Women
World Hazara Council

Join our urgent call

Welcome. Protect. Reunite. Support.

We, the Australian Church, are calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly to protect people from Afghanistan, reunite families, and welcome a special refugee intake of 20,000 men, women and children to Australia.

As the crisis in Afghanistan unfolds, Christians from across the Church, alongside a wider public movement, are being moved to speak boldly to our national leaders to provide urgent action for the well being of refugees from Afghanistan.

A call to:

Welcome refugees from Afghanistan

A call to:

Protect people from afghanistan in Australia

A call to:

Reunite refugee families

A call to:

Support through humanitarian aid

This is a loud and urgent call from Christians across all walks of life and perspectives, united in concern for the well-being of the Afghanistan community.

“I’m calling on the Australian Government to be as compassionate as we can be in responding to the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan. Jesus said “love your neighbour as yourself”, and after 20 years in Afghanistan, we should have no hesitation saying they are our neighbours.”

“Given Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan, it is now essential we act, and act fast, to support Afghans who have supported us and protect those at serious risk of persecution and violence by increasing our Afghan refugee and humanitarian intake to 20,000 places”

“Our Christian call to love our neighbours takes more than words – it takes action to love someone. These lands now called Australia must be known as a place of compassion and welcome for those who need safety.”

“There is no doubt the Bible is not a policy document. It certainly does not stipulate humanitarian policy quotas. However, it is radical in its acceptance of the stranger (refugee) and why God’s heart is particularly set for their plight.”

“When Jesus saw the huge, harassed and helpless crowd, Jesus, then as now, was full of practical compassion and looked after them (Mt 9:36). Thus, in Holy Spirit, we will look after vulnerable Afghan people, as best we can and in partnership with our Government. Jesus have mercy.”

“Our faith calls us to live out the Christian values of compassion, generosity, and hospitality for all people. As a country, as Churches, Christians and Australians we must do all we can to share these values with the people of Afghanistan.”

“We live in a troubled world, but every so often we see a moment of such intense trouble that it demands our special attention. Australia has often stepped forward at such times to do what we can, for those who are persecuted, displaced, and hurting. Afghanistan is such a moment.”

“As followers of Jesus, we believe each person is precious and loved by God. Right now, the scale of this crisis requires us to work together to provide protection and refuge to those who are in danger.”

“The situation in Afghanistan has horrified us all. We believe that in our privileged nation, we have the opportunity to do whatever we can to respond with kindness and mercy, to assist those desperate to leave Afghanistan.”

“Our obligation as a wealthy nation demands that we must bring people who supported us during the conflict to Australia; give permanent protection to Afghans already here; and give additional places to Afghan refugees including the families of people already here.”

Christian organisations who have signed the call:

Churches who have signed the call:

Organisations who have signed the call:

Sign the call

We, the Australian Church, are calling on the Federal Government to welcome a special intake of an additional 20,000 Afghan refugees, and support the ongoing well-being of all Afghan refugees and their families.