Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge has expressed indignation at what is happening in Ukraine and called for a rejection of the madness of war and a return to reason, saying “the peace of the world is at stake”.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) released a statement ahead of 26 January, Australia Day. In it they affirm their belief that 27 May would be a better day to celebrate and encourage all Australians to take up the theme this year, adding one key element: Do. NATSICC provide a practical guide for all to make this their year of ‘Do’.
“For All Future Generations” is the theme for this year’s Project Compassion. Supporting over three million people around the world each year, Caritas Australia is the International Aid and Development Agency of the Catholic Church. Caritas’ Lenten program, Project Compassion is one of the foundations allowing it to work across dozens of countries around the world and build futures with and for all.
The Australian Bishops have responded to the Federal government’s announcement that they would not allocate additional refugee places to deal with the Afghanistan crisis. The government will allocate 3,750 of the current places available to people from Afghanistan over the next four years. The Australian Bishops advocate for at least 20,000 additional humanitarian places be made available.
Along with the discussion guide, the Office has created a series of quote images that highlight the key themes from Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace 2022 Message. These quote images can be used as part of a reflection or liturgy, meditation, advocacy presentation or on social media to promote the message.
Pope Francis has released his message for the World Day of Peace 2022. This takes place on the first of January every year and this year Pope Francis focuses on dialogue between generations, education and the value of work. The Office has created a Discussion Guide for individuals and groups to use throughout the year.
The BBI-TAITE and the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace are partnering together for an online course on Catholic Social Teaching. Open to all and reasonably priced, this course consists of eight sessions across 16 weeks. Perfect for teachers, parish leaders, diocesan workers and volunteers it looks at local, national and international issues from a Catholic Social Teaching lens. Taught by Dr. Sandie Cornish, enrolments are now open. The course begins on 15 February, 2022.
The Australian Catholic University has a scholarship which is aimed at supporting refugees who arrived in Australian as unaccompanied minors or students leaving year 12 and currently on temporary, bridging, or safe haven visas. The scholarship is for students starting their university journey and covers the full course, student service fees and provides healthcare for those not receiving medicare. Applications close 16 January, 2022.
Sandie Cornish, the Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace provides an overview of what to look forward to in 2022. Formation will be a key priority for the ACBC and the Office is supporting an 8-week course in Catholic Social Teaching, providing prayer and reflection materials, the launch of the Signs of Our Times Project Collaboration and continuing on the seven year Laudato Si’ Action Plan.
The Signs of Our Times Project had its soft launch on 30 November where Bishop Vincent Long welcomed the project “as a means of going deeper in our appreciation of the tradition of social teaching and action and engaging in it.” The project which started from living out Pope Francis’ call for a Culture of Encounter has produced resources parishes and schools can use to reflect on our times as we pray with scripture, reflect on CST and share our stories.