In a tradition reaching back to 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops release major social justice statements each year in time for Social Justice Sunday. Through this tradition they contribute to the development of local Catholic Social Teaching. The statements encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on social, economic and ecological issues. They remind us of the social dimension of the mission of the Church.
Previously Social Justice Sunday was celebrated on the last Sunday in September. Since 2020, Social Justice Sunday has been celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday in August.
Recent Social Justice Statements
Social Justice Statement 2024-25
In the 2024 – 2025 Social Justice Statement, “Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World”, Au…
Social Justice Statement 2023-24
In This years Social Justice Statement, Australia’s Bishops invite us to renew our engagement with t…
Social Justice Statement 2022-23
Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse points out that the roots of domestic and family violence “l…
Social Justice Statement 2021-22
The Bishop's Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, affirms that "we h…
Social Justice Statement 2020-21
The Bishops invite us all to reject stigmatisation, to work for the transformation of social determi…
Social Justice Statement 2019-20
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2019 – 2020, Making it Real: Genuine h…
Social Justice Statement 2018-19
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2018–19 is titled A Place to Call Home…
Social Justice Statement 2017-18
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2017–18 is titled ‘Everyone’s Business…
Social Justice Statements 1988 – 2013
The full text of the Social Justice Statements for this period are conveniently collected in one fully indexed volume titled Building Bridges.
Download Statements for 2000 to 2013
2013-14
Lazarus at Our Gate: A critical moment in the fight against world poverty
2012-13
The Gift of Family in Difficult Times: The social and economic challenges facing families today
2011-12
Building Bridges, Not Walls: Prisons and the justice system
2010
Violence in Australia: A message of peace
2009
And you will be my witnesses: Young people and justice
2008
A Rich Young Nation: The challenge of affluence and poverty in Australia
2007
Who is my Neighbour?: Australia as a Global Citizen
2006
The Heart of our Country: Dignity and justice for our Indigenous sisters and brothers
2005
Jesus, light for the world: Living the Gospel today
2004
Peace be with you: Cultivating a culture of peace
2003
A generous heart in the love of Christ: Challenging racism in Australia today
2002
A New Earth: The environmental challenge
2001
A just and peaceful land: Rural and regional Australia in 2001
2000
Woman and Man: The Bishops Respond