Adventists Welcome Inquest Finding
Sydney, June 12, 2012. [J.Standish]. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia welcomes the finding today that a dingo was responsible for the tragic death of Azaria Chamberlain in 1980. The finding is the final chapter in the heart breaking legal saga that saw Michael Chamberlain and Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton falsely convicted of murdering their much loved baby,before they were exonerated by the Northern Territory Court of Criminal Appeals in 1988.
The Adventist Church further recognises Stuart Tipple, along with many other legal professionals, who have fought to correct one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice in Australia in the modern era. At this time, we also want to thank the millions of Australians who over the years have stood up against the injustice perpetrated against the Chamberlains.
The ability of our legal system to recognise and correct mistakes is one of the features that make Australia a great nation. The inquest’s finding today is a sign of our nation’s strength and integrity.
The Adventist Church recognises, however, that the inquest’s finding does not undo the enormous pain and suffering inflicted on the Chamberlains by the false conviction of the couple and the imprisonment of Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton. To have the devastating loss of a baby compounded by losing an innocent wife and mother to the justice system is something no one should ever have to experience. We hope and pray that the finding today is just one more step in the healing process for the Chamberlains and for our nation. Finally, we hope the experience of the Chamberlains will inspire all of us to act justly and to stand up for those who are mistreated.