Office For Justice, Ecology and Peace

International Youth Day
2022-08-12 00:00 - 23:59 (Australia/Sydney)
12 August was first designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth. More information here.

2020 Theme: To be confirmed.

Saint Clare
2022-08-11 00:00 - 23:59
Clare was born of a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy. As a teenager she became aware that Francis, the handsome, wealthy leader of youth in Assisi, had greatly changed. Clare’s community wanted to live according to the rule of Francis. Her community still exists today, the Sisters are called the Poor Clares. Loyola Press

Saint Lawrence
2022-08-10 00:00 - 23:59
What do you think are the real treasures of the Church?

Little is actually known about St Lawrence, but the following legend, recounted by Franciscan Media, persists:

As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, widows, and orphans of Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand, selling even the sacred vessels of the altar to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said, “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with him—only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words.” Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned, and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.” The prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!” Franciscan Media

1945: Destruction of Nagasaki by atomic bomb
2022-08-09 00:00 - 23:59
“Countless people at home and abroad, including the hibakusha, hope that Japan, the only country to experience atomic warfare, will lead the international community in abolishing nuclear weapons. In response to that hope, we urge you to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.” Mitsuaki Takami, Archbishop of Nagasaki, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, in a Letter to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 12 December 2019.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
2022-08-09 00:00 - 23:59
Do you know who the name of the Indigenous people of the place where you live? Check the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies map of Australia here.

Find out more about why the United Nations decided in 1994 to celebrate a World Day of Indigenous Peoples on 9 August here.

St Mary MacKillop
2022-08-08 00:00 - 23:59
St Mary of the Cross Mackillop is the first Australian to be recognised as a saint. You can learn more about her life here.

For Catholics in Australia, the life and work of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop has become an inspiration and a part of their identity. In Catholic Social Justice Series paper No 72, Charity and Justice: St Mary MacKillop and Australian Society, John Warhurst explores Mary’s unwavering vision: that a commitment to justice must go hand in hand with a commitment to hard practical work on behalf of people on the margins of society.

1945: Destruction of Hiroshima by atomic bomb
2022-08-06 00:00 - 23:59
“With deep conviction I wish once more to declare that the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home. The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possessing of nuclear weapons is immoral, as I already said two years ago. We will be judged on this. Future generations will rise to condemn our failure if we spoke of peace but did not act to bring it about among the peoples of the earth. How can we speak of peace even as we build terrifying new weapons of war? How can we speak about peace even as we justify illegitimate actions by speeches filled with discrimination and hate?” Pope Francis, Address at the Peace Memorial, Hiroshima, 24 November 2019.

The hibakusha, as the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are known, are becoming fewer. You can read the story of Junko, who now lives in Sydney, here.

Pope John Paul II was the first Pope to visit Hiroshima. You can read his address from 1981 here. It was in response to this address that the Catholic Bishops of Japan established the 10 Days for Peace which run from 6 to 15 August. This is a good time to pray for peace and nuclear disarmament.

You can find more information about the atomic bombs here.

The Transfiguration of the Lord
2022-08-06 00:00 - 23:59

National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day
2022-08-04 00:00 - 23:59
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a time to for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every child. Find out more here.

2014: Death of Ms Dhu, an Aboriginal woman, at South Hedland, WA, sparking a national outcry
2022-08-04 00:00 - 23:59
More information here.

Saint Dominic's Feast Day (Australia)
2022-08-03 00:00 - 23:59
“Truth was Dominic’s motto and his goal. Dominic was born in Spain, the youngest of four children. He was outstanding for his love of truth, his clear thought, his organizing ability, and his sensitive, loving nature. For Dominic, love for people was part of his love for God.” Loyola Press

1965: First Indochinese refugees allowed to settle in Australia
2022-08-02 00:00 - 23:59
On this day, we celebrate the contribution of Indochinese refugees to Australian society and reflect on the varying quality of welcome extended by our community to asylum seekers over the past fifty-five years.

Our first Vietnamese-born Australian Bishop is Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv. He is the Bishops’ Delegate for Migrants and Refugees and the Chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service. Learn more about how Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen’s coat of arms tells his story here.

2010: Entry into force of UN Convention on Cluster Munitions
2022-08-01 00:00 - 23:59
The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. The CCM was adopted in Dublin on 30 May 2008. It has 108 signatories. The Convention became binding international law when it entered into force on 1 August 2010 after 30 States – including the Vatican City State – had ratified it. As of September 2011, 60 States have ratified the CCM and future States Parties will accede to the Convention by submitting their ratifications to the United Nations.

Why does the Church Opposes Cluster Munitions?

The use of force must be a last resort, and it can only be considered for the defense of innocent lives. Even if these conditions are met, the use of force must discriminate or distinguish between combatants and civilians, and the suffering caused must not be greater than the good to be achieved. Cluster munitions are not able to meet these tests. Sandie Cornish, Why Cluster Bombs Should be Banned, Social Spirituality

Find out more on Church teaching and cluster bombs here.

Take Action

Find out about the Cluster Munition Coalition and how you can support its work. You will find plenty of resources for action here.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola
2022-07-31 00:00 - 23:59
One of the many gifts of St Ignatius to the Church is his understanding of the process of discernment. Discernment is more than simply deliberating and making wise decisions. It is about prayerful attentiveness to God’s presence in us and in the world, and openness to answering God’s call to us, both personally and collectively.

The examen prayer, which St Ignatius asked Jesuits to pray twice daily, is a fundamental practice of discernment. It helps us to cultivate awareness of God’s action in us and in our world, and to pay attention to our response. It is not an examination of conscience, like our reflection in preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation, but rather and examination of our consciousness, and so it is sometimes known as the consciousness examen.

There are many contemporary versions of the examen. They share five steps or elements that can be summarized as expression gratitude, seeking insight, reflecting, noticing, and looking forward.

Find out more about St Ignatius of Loyola here.

Image Credit

World Day against Trafficking in Persons
2022-07-30 00:00 - 23:59
“On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us reaffirm our commitment to stop criminals from ruthlessly exploiting people for profit and to help victims rebuild their lives.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Catholic Social Justice Series paper no 79 Human Trafficking and Slavery, A Response from Australian Catholics comes out of the work of ACRATH, the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans. It reminds us that human trafficking and similar forms of exploitation affect every country on earth. They flourish because of society’s greed for cheap goods and services, and because it is so easy to forget that those who meet these needs are human beings with their own innate God-given dignity. Deliverance from slavery is one of the great themes that run through Scriptures.

International Day of Friendship
2022-07-30 00:00 - 23:59
“Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.” United Nations

Find out more about this day here.

Schools Tree Day
2022-07-29 00:00 - 23:59
Schools Tree Day is a great way to inspire your students to learn about the local environment while playing an active role in their community. Find out how to get involved here.

It is also a good time for students to find out about the Laudato Tree project here. It was conceived by the Society of African Missions as a living tribute to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Inaugurated in 2018 by the President of Ireland, the project’s partners include the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the African Union, The Tree Council of Ireland, ORGIIS and Aduna.

Saint Martha
2022-07-29 00:00 - 23:59
“One of the most precious things in life is to have a home where you can go at any time and find people who accept, love, and understand you. The home Jesus found in Bethany was not only in the house but in the faithful heart of a woman named Martha. She welcomed him and served him, and they developed a special bond of friendship.” Loyola Press

Read more about St Martha here.

Saint James
2022-07-25 00:00 - 23:59
“Very early in his public life, Jesus called James to follow him. Along with Peter and John, James was one of the favored three to witness the Transfiguration of Jesus, the raising of Jairus’s daughter, and the agony in the garden on Holy Thursday night.” Loyola Press

Find out more about St. James here.

1833: Approval of Emancipation Bill
2022-07-22 00:00 - 23:59
Bill abolishing slavery throughout the British Empire was passed on the second reading in the House of Commons on this day.

Saint Mary Magdalene
2022-07-22 00:00 - 23:59
St Mary Magdalene is remembered as the ‘apostle to the apostles’ because she was the first to announce the resurrection of Jesus. The apostles did not believe her and went to see for themselves. According to John, Mary Magdalene was specially privileged to see and speak to the risen Lord on Easter morning.

For Reflection

Today is a good time to listen to what faithful women are saying about God’s call to the Church in Australia at this time. Still Listening to the Spirit: Woman and Man Twenty Years Later is a collection of essays for the twentieth anniversary of research into the participation of women in the Catholic Church in Australia. It is available in bookshops and ebook platforms and can be ordered from the Office for Social Justice.

Buy it here.

Anniversary of the Moon Landing (1969)
2022-07-20 00:00 - 23:59
“The ultimate destiny of the universe is in the fullness of God, which has already been attained by the risen Christ, the measure of the maturity of all things.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, n 83.

Find out more about the moon landing here.

For Reflection

What difference does seeing the universe as a cosmos created by God make to our attitude to the moon landing and to on-going space exploration?

Nelson Mandela International Day
2022-07-18 00:00 - 23:59
“It is easy to break down and destroy.The heroes are those who make peace and build.” Nelson Mandela

South African leader Nelson Mandela was born on this day in 1918. A timeline of his life, and links to the texts of some of his major speeches can be accessed here.

For Reflection

What can we learn from the life and work of Nelson Mandela that will help us to promote justice and reconciliation in Australia today?

World Emoji Day
2022-07-17 00:00 - 23:59
This day was created by Emojipedia to celebrate the use of emojis. An emoji is a small digital image or icon used to convey an idea or emotion. They are different from emoticons which use characters rather than images, for example the smiley face emoticon is :). Emojis are commonly used in text messages and on social media.

Emoji exist in various genres, including facial expressions, common objects, places and types of weather, and animals. They are much like emoticons, but emoji are actual pictures instead of typographics.

If you are confused about the meaning of the many emojis that you see, that’s what Emojipedia is for – is is a visual encyclopedia of emojis.

Originating on Japanese mobile phones in 1997, emoji became increasingly popular worldwide in the 2010’s after being added to several mobile operating systems. They are now considered to be a large part of popular culture in the west. For example, in 2015, Oxford Dictionaries named the Face with Tears of Joy emoji Word of the Year. Find out more about emoji here.

Image Credit

1945: Detonation of the first atomic bomb, New Mexico USA
2022-07-16 00:00 - 23:59
“Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the destruction of entire cities or extensive areas along with their population is a crime against God and humanity itself. It merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.” Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes, n 80.

The code name for the operation that lead to the first use of this weapon of mass destruction was ‘Trinity’. It is a distressing reminder of the disordered relationship with God that underpins the quest for the power to destroy the whole of creation.

The International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons are marking the 75th anniversary of the detonation of the first atomic bomb with a webinar and campaign of action.

World Youth Skills Day
2022-07-15 00:00 - 23:59
This day highlights the importance of youth skills because rising youth unemployment is seen as one of the most significant problems facing economies and societies in the world today, both for developed and developing countries. Find out more here.

St Bonaventure
2022-07-15 00:00 - 23:59
Saint Bonaventure … played an important role in both the medieval Church and the history of the Franciscan Order. A senior faculty member at the University of Paris, Saint Bonaventure certainly captured the hearts of his students through his academic skills and insights. But more importantly, he captured their hearts through his Franciscan love for Jesus and the Church. Like his model, Saint Francis, Jesus was the center of everything—his teaching, his administration, his writing, and his life. So much so, that he was given the title “Seraphic Doctor.” Franciscan Media, Saint of the Day.

It is through Saint Bonaventure’s writings that we have learned much of what we know about the life of St Francis of Assisi.

Trivia question: how many times did Pope Francis quote St Bonaventure in his encyclical Laudato Si’ on the care of our common home?

1995: Proclamation of Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag as official flags of Australia
2022-07-14 00:00 - 23:59
Did you know that the Australian national flag is not the only official flag of Australia? The Australian Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag were proclaimed as official flags of Australia on 14 July 1995. Find out more here.

This would be a great day to invite people from your local Aboriginal Catholic Ministry or local Land Council to talk to your parish, school or group about what it means to them for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to be officially recognized.

1971: Aboriginal Flag first flown, Adelaide SA
2022-07-12 00:00 - 23:59
Does your parish, school or Catholic organisation fly the Aboriginal flag? If not, perhaps you can consider doing so on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday and other special dates such as Sorry Day, NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week?

Find out more about the Aboriginal flag here.

World Population Day
2022-07-11 00:00 - 23:59
World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues.
