Victorians Petition for Assyrian Church of the East to Build Faith-Based School on Their Land

The Assyrian Church of the East community in Yuroke has petitioned the Victorian government to support the construction of St Joseph’s Christian College on land they own along Mickleham Road. The petition, signed by 4,730 Victorians, urges the state Labor government to reconsider the planning approval for the school, which the community believes is essential for raising their children in accordance with their faith and cultural heritage.

At the heart of the petition is the community’s desire to establish a school that aligns with the doctrines of the Assyrian Church of the East. The proposed institution would offer a curriculum tailored to meet the religious and cultural needs of the Assyrian community, which are not currently fulfilled by the existing public education system. A key component of the school’s program would be the teaching of the Assyrian language, a UNESCO-listed endangered language that is among the oldest continuously spoken and written languages in the world. The language, which was spoken by Jesus Christ, is central to the community’s identity and preservation.

The community, led by Bishop Mar Benyamin Elya and Reverend Fathers Antawan and Maurice, is described as a close-knit and hardworking group dedicated to educating their children in their faith. They have taken the initiative to purchase two parcels of land for the school, demonstrating their commitment to the project. The school would serve as a vital institution for the Assyrian community, providing an educational environment that reflects their unique spiritual and cultural values.

Faith-based education is seen as a means of instilling values such as unselfishness and neighborly care, which the Assyrian Church of the East emphasizes. These values resonate with the principles articulated by Sir Robert Menzies, the founder of the Liberal Party, who highlighted the importance of looking after one another in his 1944 address to a church gathering. The community believes that such values are essential for raising children who are grounded in their faith and equipped to contribute positively to society.

The petition also addresses the broader context of faith-based education in Victoria, where there is a noted shortage of such institutions. Schools like Kolbe Catholic College and St Mary Orthodox College in Coolaroo have long waiting lists, underscoring the need for additional faith-based educational options. The Assyrian community’s initiative reflects a growing recognition of the role that faith-based schools play in preserving cultural and religious identity, while also contributing to the broader educational landscape.

Source: Read the original report