Vic: Embrace diversity and dig deep at Xmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2006
Vic: Embrace diversity and dig deep at Xmas

Church and welfare groups say Australians should celebrate diversity and dig deep to
help those less fortunate this Christmas.

Uniting Church Victoria and Tasmania Moderator .. Reverend JASON KIOA .. says a multicultural
society that celebrates its differences and unites in its common humanity under God ..

lives out the central message of Christmas every day.

Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne DENIS HART wants people to pray for those hit by bushfires
and drought .. and for countries like Iraq and Lebanon.

Caritas Australia's JACK DE GROOT would like Australians to do better than last year
.. when we donated on average 43 dollars each .. or the equivalent of a slab of beer or
a kilo of prawns .. to non-government organisations.

And the Salvation Army's preparing to serve Christmas lunch and cheer to thousands
across the country tomorrow.

Spokesman Major BRAD HALSE says Australians have responded to the increased need for
help .. allowing the Salvos to provide 250 thousand toys and 150 thousand food parcels
for those less well off.

AAP RTV mj/jmt

KEYWORD: XMAS VIC (MELBOURNE)

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