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.
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.
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.
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.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has led a national campaign to urge the Federal Government to raise the rate of income support payments made to Australians on job seeker and some other payments. We update you on the campaign and the just released Budget.
At the end of May, we will mark National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week. We draw your attention to new ways you can get active in the reconciliation process.
This is the last call for our pilot program which aims to train leaders of movements for social and environmental change. The eight session program will help you to learn how to weave scripture and Church tradition into your action. You will also learn skills to make your action more strategic and effective. The program begins on June 27. We offer an outline of the program and give information on how to express your interest.
The first of May is the Feast of St Joseph the Worker and the ACBC Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service is bringing attention to sexual harrasment in the workplace. Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFM CONV speaks in a video message that can be played in parishes and schools as part of the celebrations of St Joseph the Worker.
The Australian Catholic Council on Employment Relations recently made a submission to the annual minimum case. It recommended a wage increase of 7.2% for Australia’s lowest paid workers. We look at some of the key points in the submission.
We provide you with links to some of the resources available to help you to participate in the Voice campaign.
We explore Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April which focusses on non-violence.
Laudato Si’ Week in Australia will be celebrated between May 16 and May 24. The Office will soon issue resources to help you to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week. We also provide information on a Laudato Si’ Week on-line convocation offered by Jesuit Ignatian Spirituality Australia.
More information is provided on an exciting on-line course for those interested in developing their skills to be more faithful and effective in their social, peace and environmental action. The free course starts on June 27 and numbers are limited.