By Kathleen Gilbert
CANBERRA, Australia, October 27, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Australian House of Representatives Speaker Harry Jenkins has called for a public debate as to whether the Lord’s Prayer ought to be written out of parliamentary procedures, and replaced by an acknowledgement of the country’s Aboriginal ancestors.
Jenkins questioned if the prayer was relevant to the 21st century, according to the Herald-Sun, and also suggested that it be rewritten. The Lord’s Prayer has been in the standing orders since 1901, the year the British colonies of Australia came together as a federation.
But senators from several of Australia’s political parties largely squelched the idea, and a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that he considers the prayer an important tradition that must not be changed.
“The Lord’s Prayer is a long standing tradition of the Australian parliament and the Prime Minister believes it should continue,’’ she said.
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and Nationals leader Warren Truss issued a joint statement agreeing with Rudd that such a change would be unacceptable.
“The Lord’s Prayer has a very important place in the conduct of the parliamentary program, and ahead of the day’s debate and deliberations it provides a non-partisan reaffirmation of our commitment to the common good for the people of Australia,’’ Turnbull and Truss said.
Immigration minister Chris Evans added that the formal acknowledgement of Australia’s original inhabitants suggested by Jenkins as a replacement has already been introduced into parliamentary procedure, and there are plans to continue its use at future official proceedings.
He expressed doubt that Jenkin’s objection to the prayer would gain any ground.
“We had this debate in the Senate a few years ago when there was talk about having a moment’s reflection rather than the Lord’s Prayer but the strong view among senators was that the Lord’s Prayer ought to remain, I wouldn’t expect any change,” he told ABC Television.
To contact the Australian House Speaker:
Parliamentary Office
The Speaker
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone (02) 6277 4000
Fax (02) 6277 2050
Postal Address PO Box 1163
Bundoora Victoria
Australia 3083
Email [email protected]