Social Justice Trends | February 2021

Latest news from the Office for Social Justice

Dear Friend

Our February issue has a Lenten focus on preparing a new and better future.

PANDEMIC

Preparing the Future

Almost as soon as the pandemic was declared, Pope Francis established the Vatican COVID-19 Commission. He understood that we can either emerge from this once-in-a-generation crisis better or worse. How we respond to the pandemic now can help to prepare a better future for us all. The Commission's first annual report shares an enormous range of achievements.

NEWS

End Red-Tagging

The killing of indigenous Tumandok people in Capiz in the Philippines on 30 December 2020 has prompted Bishop Vincent Long to raise the practice of red-tagging - the labelling of groups or individuals perceived to be critical of the government as communists or terrorists - with the Philippine Ambassador and the Australian Government.

RESOURCE

Strong Economy, Stronger Australia

The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed Australian society and its economy and will continue to shape our country into the future. As Australia looks to rebuild its economy, Catholic Social Services Australia argues that government attention should be on developing a people-focused economy that is built around the principles of full employment and participation.

Read more...

ACTION

Be More this Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which means that Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraiser, Project Compassion, has begun. The theme this year is "Be More", inspired by the words of St Oscar Romero: "aspire not to have more, but to be more".

OPPORTUNITY

Volunteer, Rhoe Price teaching in Timor-Leste

Volunteer with Palms

Rising to the challenges of COVID-19, Palms Australia is actively recruiting Australian Catholics to receive preparation and training to undertake overseas professional placements in late 2021 and early 2022. Palms recruits, prepares, sends and supports people to fill overseas placements in response to requests from international community partners.

EVENT

International Women's Day - 8 March

Pope Francis is making small but significant steps towards greater inclusion of women in decision-making and leadership roles in the Church. This is a good day to pay attention to women's contributions in our local Church, too. Have you seen this list of "160+ Australian and New Zealander Women in Theology You Should Know About"?

EVENT

Harmony Week - 15-21 March

Australia celebrates Harmony Week in the days leading up to the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is a time to celebrate cultural diversity and share the message that everyone belongs. It is a great time to reflect on Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship. Find out about Harmony Week events near you.

EVENT

World Water Day - 22 March

The theme for World Water Day 2021 is "Valuing Water". In Aqua Fons Vitae, the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development points out that as well as economic value, water has a religious value, socio-cultural and aesthetic value, and even an institutional value and a value for peace. Check out the Dicastery's new collection of Church statements and actions related to water.

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.

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

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