Office For Justice, Ecology and Peace

World Book and Copyright Day
2021-04-23 00:00 - 23:59 (Australia/Sydney)
Did you know that this date was chosen by the United Nations because it was on this date in 1616 that Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inc Garcilaso de la Vega died?

Read the UNESCO resolution proclaiming the day here.

Access resources for celebrating the day here.

International Mother Earth Day
2021-04-22 00:00 - 23:59
Tree of Life – Mieke Boynton

Mother Earth is a common expression for the planet earth in a number of countries and regions, which reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit. Resolution establishing Mother Earth Day adopted by the General Assembly on 22 April 2009

The United Nations designated this day in 2009. It was already celebrated in a number of different countries prior to this. You can find a range of related resources for the celebration of this day here.

Artwork:

Tree of Life – Mieke Boynton

Music:

Tend the Ground – Curtis Stephan

Tend the Ground – Curtis Stephan

1991: Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission Final Report signed
2021-04-15 00:00 - 23:59
13th Station: Jesus’ Body is Taken Down from the Cross by Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AO

For Reflection

“… and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8: 32

The 1991 Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission Final Report was a painful and key step in the process of radical truth telling in regard to the treatment of Aboriginal people in Australia, especially when in police custody. There were over 300 recommendation from this report, and many are still to be implemented. 434 Indigenous people have died in custody since 1991. There is still much listening and work to do to achieve real justice for all Australians.

From the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart:

“Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future. These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. This is the torment of our powerlessness. We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.” From the Uluru Statement from the Heart, 2017

Prayer

Reconciliation Prayer

Holy Father, God of Love,
You are the Creator of all things.
We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history
and the sufferings of Our peoples,
and we ask your forgiveness.
We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus
to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another,
as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history
so that we may build a better future for our Nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.
Teach us to care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land.
Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families,
our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, Wontulp Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group 13 March 1997 Brisbane, Qld.

Music

First Nation (2020) by Midnight Oil from The Makarrata Project

1963: Pacem in Terris published by Pope John XXIII
2021-04-11 00:00 - 23:59
The encyclical Pacem in Terris is known in English as Peace on Earth. It was published in 1963 in the wake of the Cuban missile crisis. You can read an introduction to the encyclical and find a link to the full text here.

Pacem in Terris focuses on issues of peace in a nuclear age. It revisits the application of the just war theory criteria in the light of the development of these new weapons of mass destruction. It examines the relationships among human beings, relationships between citizens and public authorities, relationships between states, and finally, relationships among the people and states in the international community. It sets out rights and duties in all of these areas. While Pope Pius XII was so disappointed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that he passed it over in silence, John XXIII welcomed and affirmed a broad range of human rights in this encyclical. It was seen as a Catholic charter of human rights. Sandie Cornish, Introduction to Pacem in Terris.

Prayer

Jesus, Prince of Peace,
banish from our souls
whatever might endanger peace.

Transform us into witnesses
of truth, justice and love.

Enlighten the minds of rulers
that they may care for their peoples
and guarantee them the gift of peace.

Inflame our desires
to break through the barriers that divide us,
to strengthen the bonds of mutual love,
to learn to understand one another,
to pardon those who have done us wrong.

Jesus, Prince of Peace,
through your power and inspiration,
may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts
as sisters and brothers.
And may the peace they long for
ever flower and ever reign among them.

AMEN

An Advent Prayer for Peace, by Sandie Cornish, adapted from Pacem in Terris n 171

World Health Day
2021-04-07 00:00 - 23:59
Christ the Healer Icon by Christine Hales https://americanassociationoficonographers.com/2017/10/30/feed-my-sheep/christ-the-healer-icon-details-064/

For Reflection

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Christ came to bring life in body, mind, and spirit to all people in their daily lives. Since 1950, every April 7 the World Health Organisation highlights a specific health area of concern. In 2021, the focus of the WHO is on building a fairer, healthier world: “…we are calling on leaders to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health.“

Christ challenges us to offer abundant life through ensuring people can access and experience secure employment, housing, education, gender equality, a safe environment, clean water and air, nourishing food, and quality health services. As Christians, we uphold and actively support the conditions that allow all in our human family to flourish.

Prayer for A Fairer, Healthier World

(adapted from the 2021 Social Justice Statement Prayer)

Jesus, you invite us all into the fullness of life.May we support one another to flourish in body, mind and spirit.Strengthen our commitment to ensure that nobodyfalls through gaps in our systems of care.

Help us to recognise youin those who suffer ill-health today.Show us how to eliminate inequality in our health systems, and in our world.

You drew near to thosewho were suffering in body or mind.May we too feel your nearnesswhen we struggle with health challenges.May we be one as members of Your Body.

You invite us to share in your ministryof love and true compassion.May we be empowered by your Spiritto reach out to all people in need.May we build communities of welcome and inclusion. Amen.

Music

By Our Love by Tom Kendzia

International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda
2021-04-07 00:00 - 23:59
Ubumuntu (kindness, humanity, greatness of heart), from the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda Artist: Unknown.

For Reflection

The Rwandan Genocide in 1994 saw over 800,000 Rwandans, mainly from the Tutsi minority, massacred by the Hutu ethnic majority in three months. Over two million Hutu’s later fled the country, fearing revenge attacks. Fr Marcel Uwineza SJ, a survivor of the genocide, calls these horrific events in his home country an “intimate genocide……It was not an invasion by an outside country, but an intensive, systematic killing of Rwandans by Rwandans.”

Dehumanisation of people because of their ethnicity, and imbalances of power that illegitimately privilege one group of people over another, have contributed to atrocities throughout history. As Christians, we are called to break this cycle of violence. We honour the dignity of every human person, no matter their ethnicity, religion, or difference to us. Jesus offers clear teaching in Matthew 22: 34-40 on how to move forward in peace:

“’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Marcel Uwineza SJ’s journey of healing and forgiveness: “To remember is to act so that those criminal activities never happen again. So, to remember is to do justice.”

Prayer

Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace

Music

Will You Be My Protector? by The Good Ones

Will You Be My Protector? by The Good Ones

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
2021-04-06 00:00 - 23:59
Find out more about why the United Nations declared this day here.

A Crown for Australia: Striving for the Best in Our Sporting Nation

Today is a great day to revisit the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2014–2015. It challenges us to look at the place of sport in our lives. Where are its strengths and how can we ensure that sport can thrive and in return can nourish our society? Equally, what are the influences that are undermining and distorting sport’s ideals? Most importantly, how can we work to realise sport’s potential to unite communities, overcome differences and be a force for social justice and reconciliation?

Prayer for Good Sports

God of all sports (and none);from our small minds,how amused you must bewhen our prayers about sportare about our own success or our team's.Whose side are you on?How do you choosewhen supporters from both sidesimplore your divine intervention?Remind us that in prayerour hearts are opened to youand our minds lifted beyond ourselves.Just as prayer changes us,not you, O God,so sport too, can lift us beyond ourselves.So we pray:We give thanks for the gift of our bodies,for the ability to run, walk, jump,swim, catch and throw.We pray for patience and discipline,that we may learn the joy of mastering new skills:achieving success, and cheerfully bearing failurein the company of others.We pray that our relationships be enrichedthrough the friendships we form.May we learn to include others across bordersof language, colour, gender and religion.We pray that we care for others.May we especially look out for thosewho are differently abled,and those often left on the boundaries.Through our vigilancemay we always play fair,and ensure that no one is abused or exploited.We ask this through Jesus your son. Amen.

World Youth Day
2021-04-05 00:00 - 23:59
World Youth Day is celebrated every year in local churches and every two or three years at the international level. The theme for 2020 is “Young man, I tell you, arise!” (Lk 7,14). Lisbon, Portugal will host the next international gathering for World Youth Day in 2022.

1997: Bringing Them Home Report published
2021-04-05 00:00 - 23:59
The report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families was published on this day in 1997. Read the Bringing Them Home Report here and access information and teaching resources on the Stolen Generations here.

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
2021-04-04 00:00 - 23:59
The United Nations established this day in 2005 through this resolution.

The annual message for the day, together with other resources, are available here.

St Isidore, patron saint of the internet
2021-04-04 00:00 - 23:59
In 1997 Pope John Paul II declared Isidore of Seville the patron saint of the internet. Isidore was a scholar with encyclopedic knowledge. In his writings he sought to collect, systematize and synthesize all existing knowledge.

Speaking at a General Audience on 18 June 2008, Pope Benedict XVI, highlighted how Isidore combined contemplation and action. He went on to quote Isidore:

Therefore let the servant of God, imitating Christ, dedicate himself to contemplation without denying himself active life. Behaving otherwise would not be right. Indeed, just as we must love God in contemplation, so we must love our neighbour with action. It is therefore impossible to live without the presence of both the one and the other form of life, nor can we live without experiencing both the one and the other. http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20080618.html

Prayer Seeking the Intercession of St Isidore

Almighty and eternal Godwho has created us in thine imageand bade us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful,especially in the divine person of Thy only-begotten Son,Our Lord Jesus Christ,grant we beseech Thee that through the intercession of St Isidore, bishop and doctor,during our journeys through the internetwe will direct our hand and eyesonly to that which is pleasing to Theeand treat with charity and patience all those soulswhom we encounter.Father, we ask you this, through Christ Our Lord.Amen

World Autism Awareness Day
2021-04-02 00:00 - 23:59

1897: Death of Jandamarra
2021-04-01 00:00 - 23:59
Jandamarra was an Aboriginal resistance leader of the Bunuba people in Western Australia. Find our more about his story here.

1941: Death of William Cooper
2021-03-29 00:00 - 23:59
William Cooper was an inspirational Aboriginal leader in New South Wales and Victoria in the early part of the 20th century and a founding secretary of the Australian Aborigines’ League. The league was created to lobby state and federal governments on behalf of Aboriginal people. The powerful symbolic gesture of a Day of Mourning on 26 January, along with a petition to the British monarch calling for Aboriginal representation in federal parliament, inspired generations of activists working for justice for Indigenous Australians. National Museum of Australia

Earth Hour
2021-03-28 20:30 - 21:30

1975: Biological Weapons Convention
2021-03-26 00:00 - 23:59

1967: Populorum Progressio (On the Progress of Peoples) encyclical issued by St Paul VI
2021-03-26 00:00 - 23:59

1877: Death of Caroline Chisholm
2021-03-25 00:00 - 23:59

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing UN Staff Members
2021-03-25 00:00 - 23:59

International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
2021-03-24 00:00 - 23:59

St Oscar Romero
2021-03-24 00:00 - 23:59

2005: Abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)
2021-03-23 00:00 - 23:59

World Meteorological Day
2021-03-23 00:00 - 23:59

World Water Day
2021-03-22 00:00 - 23:59
“The earth’s biodiversity, the functioning of the various biomes and of the atmosphere, the cycles of water and climate remind us of how versatile and fundamental this precious creature of God is.” Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, Acqua Fons Vitae, p 13.

World Water Day has been celebrated since 1993. Now a core focus of the day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. The theme of World Water Day in 2021 is valuing water.

In Aqua Fons Vitae, the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development point out that as well as an economic value, water has a religious value, socio-cultural and aesthetic value, and even an institutional value and a value for peace. You can access a collection of Church statements, tools and initiatives related Aqua fons vitae here.

For Reflection

How do you value water?

Which of the proposals in Aqua Fons Vitae are the most important for your community?

Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination
2021-03-21 08:00 - 2021-03-22 17:00

World Poetry Day
2021-03-21 00:00 - 23:59

World Down Syndrome Day
2021-03-21 00:00 - 23:59

International Day of Forests
2021-03-21 00:00 - 23:59

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
2021-03-21 00:00 - 23:59

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
2021-03-20 00:00 - 23:59
This national day is observed in Australia. Find resources to help you to mark this day here.
