Good Friday Prayer Vigil for Death Row inmates – Graceville
The Catholic Justice & Peace Commission of Brisbane
Invites you to
A PRAYER VIGIL
For all those on death row in Indonesia and around the world
GOOD FRIDAY (2 April 2010) at 12 Noon
Christ the King Catholic Church
Churchill Street, Graceville
This is an opportunity to pray for all those waiting on death row around the world, for their families and friends and for the victims of violence and crime.
This vigil is being held in the home parish of Lee & Chris Rush whose son, Scott, is waiting on death row in Indonesia. Lee and Chris will be present unless Scott’s final appeal is being heard.
All are welcome.
More details here.
World Day Against The Death Penalty Rally and Dinner – Sunday October 11th
Australians Against Capital Punishment invite you to join commemorations of the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Every year, opponents of the death penalty come together to add their voices to the growing international movement for a total abolition of capital punishment.
Justice Must Not Kill
And those who value justice, must not stay silent.
Vigil – 5pm Sunday October 11th at the Lizard, corner of Russell Street and Boundary Street, West End
Speakers include Lee & Christine Rush, whose son Scott faces execution in Indonesia
Stephen Keim, SC, patron of AACP
Maree Klemm, President of the Queensland & Northern NSW branch of Amnesty International
All friends and supporters are then invited to join us for dinner -
6pm at Huong’s restaurant at 83A Vulture Street, West End $25 per head.
– please RSVP by c.o.b. Thursday 8th October for catering purposes.
For more information, or to RSVP please email us on justine.hampson@gmail.com or 0423 709 445. Please specify any dietary requirements.
AACP Concert – 4pm Sunday August 23rd
Australians Against Capital Punishment invite you to a concert to raise awareness of people facing the death penalty around the world.
Come along and hear Steve Towson, Phil Monsour, Protest! and Brett Fahey perform as well as speakers including Lee and Christine Rush, whose son Scott faces execution in Indonesia.
Sunday August 23rd 4pm- 8.30
Browning Street Studios,
11 Browning Street, West End
Entry $12 or $10 concession
For inquiries contact Tina on 0423 709 445 or email: justine.hampson@gmail.com
MP lobbies to lift death sentence (SMH)
Cynthia Banham
June 3, 2009
THE NSW federal MP Chris Hayes has made what is likely to be his last impassioned speech in Parliament before lawyers for Scott Rush file the appeal against his death sentence to the Indonesian Supreme Court.
Mr Hayes said he hoped Rush received “a fair and objective hearing from the Indonesian Supreme Court”.
The MP has campaigned for Rush, the convicted drug mule and member of the Bali nine, since meeting his parents, Christine and Lee, a year ago.
Family prays for Bali Nine drug mule Scott Rush to be spared death penalty
AAP
April 10, 2009 04:48pm
* Family prayer vigil for Scott Rush
* 100 people at special Easter service
* Waiting outcome of appeal
THE family of convicted drug mule and Bali Nine member Scott Rush have continued hope he will be spared the death penalty.
About 100 people crowded into Brisbane’s Christ the King Church today, where Rush used to attend, for a prayer vigil, aimed at renewing debate about the death penalty.
Death Penalty Prayer Service
Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission will hold a further vigil to pray for all those on death row around the world.
The prayer vigil will take place on Good Friday, April 10, at noon at Christ the King Church, Churchill Street, Graceville.
The Commission’s Executive Officer, Peter Arndt, said that the plight of Scott Rush, whose family is part of the local Corinda-Graceville Parish, will continue to be a special focus of the vigil.
“We want to pray for all those around the world who face execution, but we are especially conscious of the pain and suffering of Scott Rush and his parents, Chris and Lee,” Mr Arndt said.
“We are very grateful for the support given to us by Fr Tim Harris and the Corinda-Graceville Parish,” he said.
“There are some comments coming from Indonesia which suggest that the time for further appeals by Scott and other Australians on death row may be limited, but we are not sure if this is actually the case,” he said.
“We do know that the Australian Government is adopting a much more positive attitude to universal abolition of capital punishment and this is very welcome,” he said.
“We hope that Catholics will continue to find the time to approach our politicians to ensure that they are doing everything they can to stop the execution of Scott and everyone else on death row,” he said.
“But we also want everyone praying constantly for Scott and his family and for everyone else affected by a death sentence in Indonesia and around the world,” he said.
“The day when Jesus was executed is an appropriate day for us to remember all those also facing execution,” he said.
“For those of us who believe in the message of the crucified Jesus, the message of God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness is vital,” he said.
“We appeal to Catholics to stand against the violence of the death penalty and to stand up for life,” he said.
Good Friday, April 10, at noon
Christ the King Church,
Churchill Street, Graceville
For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.
NB This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Charter which enables it to speak in its own right. The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.
World of Difference conference update
AACP held a workshop at the W of D conference at the University of Queensland on the weekend, featuring Lee and Christine Rush, Tim Goodwin from Amnesty, and our patron, Stephen Keim, QC.
As well as continuing to raise awareness of our campaign and of the fate of people on death row across the world, we also had the added goal of helping to establish a group – Students Against Capital Punishment – at the university, which is now on-track.
Thanks to everyone who came along, to everyone who signed up for SACP and to the organisers for inviting us.
AACP at UQ’s World of Difference Conference – March 15th
Australians Against Capital Punishment will be running a workshop at the University of Queensland’s World of Difference social justice conference.
Date: Sat 15 March
Venue: UQ, St Lucia Brisbane, Room 232, Steele building
Time: AACP / SACP workshop Sat 2 – 3:30pm
We will also be running a stall in the Great Court from 12.30 onwards if anyone would like to come along and talk more informally before the workshop begins.
Our session will be discussing the ongoing role of AACP and the formation of Students Against Capital Punishment groups, our speakers will include Tim Goodwin from Amnesty International, and Lee and Christine Rush talking about their experiences as parents of someone on death row.
All are welcome, for more information contact Tina or phone 0423 709 445.
December Vigil
AACP held a vigil at Queen’s Park on December 15th for those on death row around the world. About 50 people turned up to hear our choirs and speakers, as well as the message sent from Christine and Lee Rush about their ordeal as parents of someone facing execution.
The vigil was designed to reach out to the Christmas shoppers through music and spectacle, and remind them of the fate of too many people around the world.
Andrew Bartlett speaking
Stephen Keim, QC
The evening was finished off with a special guest performer sitting in on the Wagner String Quartet -
Thanks to everyone who helped organise, who spoke or performed, and to everyone who came along.
