IEU member Adrian Gomez (centre) teaches Religion and History at St Leo’s Catholic College in Wahroonga. He is pictured here on Palm Sunday with his friends Thanush (left) and Ramsi (right) who are refugees from Sri Lanka. Both were detained on Manus Island for eight years. They were only released in January this year.
“I attended Ramsi’s 30th birthday in February, his first in freedom since he was 22,” Adrian said. “I invited Thanush to speak at a St Leo’s Catholic College assembly in March to share his story with our community. I was proud to stand with Thanush and Ramsi on Palm Sunday to call for freedom for their friends and all refugees who are still unjustly detained. ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ is at the heart of the Christian message.”
If your school or community wants to help: the Jesuit Refugee Service in Parramatta and the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown always welcome support.