Social Justice Trends | January 2021

Latest news from the Office for Social Justice

Dear Friend

Our January issue begins the year with a focus on peace, and podcasts for the celebration of the Word of God Sunday.

FROM THE OFFICE

Choose Peace

Did you know that the Holy See was one of the first states to sign and ratify the International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? This might seem like a purely symbolic action from a state that does not possess nuclear weapons. It is in fact a symbol of a significant development in the Church's teaching on nuclear weapons that has been taking place over recent years. Bishop Terry Brady has asked the Australian Government to sign the Treaty. Over the coming months, the Office for Social Justice will invite you to choose peace by supporting the Treaty in various ways.

RESOURCE

A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace

In his 2021 World Day of Peace Message, Pope Francis shows how care and protection, love and compassion, permeate the Christian story and are the "beating heart of the Church's social doctrine" today. He highlights four principles that can act as a compass pointing the way forward: care as the promotion of the dignity and rights of each person; care for the common good; care through solidarity; and care and protection of creation. For summaries of each section of the Message and questions for reflection, download our free discussion guide.

PODCAST

The Word of God & CST

To celebrate the Word of God Sunday our podcast, The Revolution of Tenderness, explores passages of Scripture that are significant in Catholic Social Teaching. Professor Mary Coloe reflects on the parables of the labourers in the vineyard, and the Good Samaritan, while Dr Emmanuel Nathan considers Jesus reading from the scroll in Luke 4: 18-19.

EVENT

Australia Day / Survival Day - 26 January

Are we 'one and free' or is that something to work towards? This is a good day to listen to the experience and the aspirations of First Nations people and communities. There are good things about our country worth celebrating, but there is also unfinished business. Let us take time to reflect on the next steps we need to take towards reconciliation.

EVENT

World Wetlands Day - 2 February

In 2021 we mark the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, which provides the framework for national and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It came into force in 1975. Visit our online calendar for more information about World Wetlands Day and a range of resources on how the Convention protects wetlands.

EVENT

St Josephine Bakhita - 8 February

St Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery. On her feast day we pray for all those affected by the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, and for the people who volunteer and work to eradicate this crime. Download a poster, social media tile, bulletin notice, homily notes and prayers of the faithful from the Diocese of Parramatta for this feast.

FEEDBACK

If you have any feedback for the Office for Social Justice, please contact our Editor Sandie Cornish at sandie.cornish@catholic.org.au.

BISHOPS COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, MISSION AND SERVICE

Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv (Chair), Bishop Paul Bird CSsR, Bishop Terence Brady, Bishop Max Davis, Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS, Bishop Bosco Puthur, Bishop Christopher Saunders, Bishop Donald Sproxton.

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DISCLAIMER
The Office for Social Justice facilitates this newsletter in good faith. Its aim is to promote adult faith formation, awareness and action in relation to social, economic and ecological justice issues. Factual information is presumed free of error. If this is found to be incorrect please contact the OSJ for purposes of rectification. The reference to news items and the provision of links to other websites is solely for the user's convenience. The OSJ assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse, these items or websites, their content, or their sponsoring organisations.

Social Justice Trends is a publication of the Office for Social Justice and is distributed monthly. Our aim is to provide news of interest to you. If you have suggestions or feedback about Social Justice Trends please don't hesitate to get back to me.

Sandie Cornish
Social Justice Officer
Office for Social Justice
sandie.cornish@catholic.org.au

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