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Welcome to Peter Arndt

Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen welcomes the newly appointed Director of the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, Mr Peter Arndt who commences in the role on 10 October 2022. Peter Arndt has been the Executive Officer of the Catholic Justice & Peace Commission in the Archdiocese of Brisbane and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in working in parish, diocesan and international settings. Peter will continue to work in Brisbane and travel to Canberra when needed.

Picture of Damien Gardiner

New disability projects officer starts at Bishops Conference

Damien Gardiner has been appointed as the new Disability Projects officer of the ACBC. Mr Gardiner’s role will be to carry forward efforts to promote the full participation of people with a disability in the life of the Church. Bishop Tim Norton SVD, the Bishop Delegate for Disabilities Issues welcomed him, “Through his professional experience and through his personal faith commitment and practice, Damien is a wonderful addition to the Bishops Conference.”

White text "National Week of Prayer and Action 25-30 September 2022" is on a light blue background. The CAPSA emblem is below with a symbol next to it. It is a white circle with two hands lifting a heart within it.

CAPSA – National Week of Prayer and Action

The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) is holding a National Week of Prayer and Action beginning on 25 September, World Day of Migrants and Refugees and ending on 30 September. On Tuesday 27 September, CAPSA are running an online webinar at 6.30pm AEST featuring four speakers on how we can all use our time, resources, heart and voice to advocate and take action alongside people seeking asylum.

The logo for the NATSICC Assembly in is the middle of the screen with a deep blue background that looks like the night sky. The emblem is an Aboriginal painting with a red and orange snake forming a circle and a white bird features prominently.

NATSICC Assembly – Holy Spirit in This Land

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) are this week conducting their national assembly in the diocese of Townsville. After needing to be rescheduled due to Covid-19, Indigenous Catholics from around the country are travelling to be together and share in their faith, knowledge, and community. The theme for this year’s assembly is, “Holy Spirit in this Land.”

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.

Bishops lament family, domestic violence in annual justice statement

Australia’s bishops have used their annual social justice statement to condemn the scourge of domestic and family violence, saying relationships must be “marked by respect and freedom rather than coercion and control”. This year’s statement is titled Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse. “The teaching of Christ urges us to promote relationships marked by respect and freedom rather than coercion and control.”

A picture of Dr. Sandie Cornish looking to camera with a grey background.

Farewell to Dr Sandie Cornish

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Bishop Vincent Long says farewell to Director of the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, Dr Sandie Cornish. Sandie has been offered and accepted a full-time academic position with the Australian Catholic University. “As Sandie is moving to another chapter of her professional career, I wish her every blessing. This Commission and the Church in Australia are truly grateful for her witness, stewardship and service in challenging times.” 

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.

Hand reaching through wire fence

Cardinal Zen Arrested

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Retired Hong Kong Cardinal Zen was arrested on 11 May and faces charges “simply because he served as a trustee of a fund which provided legal aid to activists facing court cases” says Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences President Cardinal Charles Bo. Cardinal Bo has called for prayer for Cardinal Zen on 24 May, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians.

Minimum Wage Must Rise: Bishops

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The Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations has argued for an increase in the minimum wage of 6.5%. Working on behalf of the Bishops, ACCER submitted this recommendation to the Annual Wage Review saying that no Australian should live below the poverty line. Spokesperson Stephen Mackie said, “The problem is children are being brought up in poverty…the workers on national minimum wage have been waiting for a long time for a significant increase.” 

Close up picture of an Immigration Australia stamp

Faith Leaders Release Statement Calling for the End of TPVs

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Australian faith leaders including Archbishop Coleridge, then President of ACBC, have joined together to call for permanent protection for people on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs). Even though many people on TPVs are refugees, they are still denied permenant protection and the stability of knowing they can make a long-term home in Australia. Campaign spokesman, Rev. Tim Costello urged political leaders to ‘do something that is ultimately good for all Australians’.