We Lament, We Repent, We Resolve

The Anglican Church in Tasmania is observing a time of Lament and Repentance for our failures. We continue to invite anyone with information about past or present misconduct of a church worker to contact our Director of Professional Standards on 1800 017 286 (or click here) or call Tasmania Police.

During Lent we are focusing on six areas where we have failed to live in our communities of faith in ways which honour God.

Each week we will Lament, Repent and Resolve to live a new life to God’s Glory.

Week 1: Our Failure to Respect and Care for Children

Week 2: Our Failure to Protect Families from Violence

Week 3: Our Misuse of Power

Week 4: Our Failure to Love and Honour the First peoples of Tasmania

Week 5: Our Failure to Protect the Environment

Week 6: Our Failure to Make Disciples

A Prayer of Repentance based on Psalm 51

Open our lips, O Lord,

and our mouths will declare your praise.

Our sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

O God, you will not despise.

Have mercy on us, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out our transgressions.

Wash away all our iniquity

and cleanse us from our sin.

For we know our transgressions,

and our sin is always before us.

You call children to come to you

but we have tolerated their abuse.

You direct us to love our neighbour

but we have allowed family violence to fester.

You are glorified in self-giving love

but we have flaunted self-serving power.

You generously give us sanctuary

but we dispossessed others of their land.

You created a good world

but we have blighted it with our greed.

You command us to make disciples of Jesus

but we have followed our own desires.

You show the way of the cross

but we have sought the way of our own comfort.

Create in us a pure heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within us.

Do not cast us from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from us.

Restore to us the joy of your salvation

and grant us a willing spirit, to sustain us.