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Social Justice Statement 2023-24

In This years Social Justice Statement, Australia’s Bishops invite us to renew our engagement with the First Peoples of Australia. They have come to this view through much listening to the First Peoples and they encourage us all to listen to them in a spirit of love and humility.

Laudato Si Week 2023 May 16- May 24

Laudato Si’ Week 2023 Resources

Laudato Si’ Week, a celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home is taking place 16 May – 24 May this year. The ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace has created resources for individuals and groups to use throughout the week.

Statue of the Virgin Mary on an Altar with Candles

From the Director

Director Peter Arndt shares some information on a global survey of over 17,000 Catholic women about their experience of the Church and what they want to change.

Three images of women at a protest are pieced together, each with a green, purple or grey overlay. The text "Social Justice Statement 2022-23, Respecti, Confronting Violence and abuse" is in white at the top of the image. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is written in small white writing at the centre of the image at the bottom with the corresponding logo.

Social Justice Statement 2022-23

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Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse points out that the roots of domestic and family violence “lie in the abuse of power to control and dominate others” and that “this stands in contrast to the relationships to which God calls us”. Our relationships should be “marked by equality and reciprocity rather than domination and violence, respect and freedom rather than coercion and control”. We reject the manipulation of religious teachings to justify violence and abuse. We support women in calling for respect in relationships; their lives and those of their children are sacred.

Lismore Flood Recovery: “Standing on Holy Ground”

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A personal, on the ground reflection from Catholic Schools Diocese of Lismore Mission team on what Laudato Si’ means to them. They share their experience of ‘Standing on Holy Ground’ as they support each other to clean up after the floods and rebuild after catastrophic flooding where over 12 of their schools had damage to half of its buildings, and three completed inundated. You can support with prayers and responding to their appeal.

Signs of Hope on the Edge: Social Justice Statement 2025-2026

Australia is facing a deepening crisis. Over 273,000 people sought help from homelessness services last year, many also struggling with mental illness.

This year’s Social Justice Statement calls us to follow the example of Jesus, who always noticed, listened to, and cared for those on the edge of society.

St Joseph the Worker

Feast of St Joseph the Worker 2025

The 2023 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with a Disability shone a light on the many struggles faced by people with a disability.

People voting at a polling location

Federal Election 2025

The Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace has put together a set of resources prepared by a variety of organisations to help you to consider how you will vote in the 2025 Federal Election. These resources include information on potential disinformation and misinformation, the values… Read More »Federal Election 2025

Black and White photo of a detention centre

Fast Track Process Needs Urgent Attention

Thousands of people seeking asylum have faced over a decade of uncertainty because their protection claims were rejected under the “Fast Track” process. Refugees have led demonstrations calling for action to end their uncertainty. You can do something to support them.

A Canopy of Trees

Called to Ecological Conversion for the Sake of Peace

Ecological conversion is at the heart of working for peace. Peace is not possible without an ongoing openness to our Creator and the sustained flourishing of God’s creation. Executive Officer of Toowoomba’s Diocesan Social Justice Commission, Dr. David Tutty, considers the connection between our care for earth and the cultivation of a culture of peace.

Farm workers picking lettuce

PALM Scheme and Migrant Workers in Australia

The PALM scheme, which aims to fill labour shortages in Australia’s agricultural and horticultural sectors with workers from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste, has come under increasing scrutiny for the mistreatment and abuse of workers it was designed to protect.