Social Justice Trends

Latest news from the Office for Social Justice

Dear Friend,

In Refugee Week, we focus on people on the move in the June issue of Social Justice Trends.

FROM THE OFFICE

Person contemplating a sky full of stars

Pre-order for Social Justice Statement

The Bishops' Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, affirms that “we human beings need a change of heart, mind, and behaviour”. It draws from Scripture, from the theological tradition, from Catholic Social Teaching, and from the wisdom of the world, including the insights of the First Nations. Pre-ordering for printed copies of the statement is now open and needs to be completed by the 8 of July. The landing page which will house the resources is now available.

RESOURCE

Sowers of Hope text over picture of mountains from above

Responses to the Federal Budget

The recording of the Laudato Si’ – Sowers of Hope online reflection hosted by the Office of Social Justice and Caritas Australia’s Catholic Earthcare is now released and available online. The reflection gathered people from across Australia who participated in prayer and reflection on the Laudato Si’ Year. The gathering also had sharing from across the country on the successes of the previous year and lay the spiritual foundation for the journey ahead with the seven-year Laudato Si’ Goals.

NEWS

Bishops Appeal for Asylum Seekers

Australian Bishops have written to various members of Parliament appealing for greater welcome, support and inclusion of people seeking asylum and granted refuge. Bishop Michael McCarthy of Rockhampton Diocese and Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFM (Conv) and Chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service have both written to Federal ministers appealing for a more human approach to the detention and processing of people seeking asylum.

NEWS

Breaking Family Ties: JRS Submission

Australian Government family reunion policies have been found to ‘prolong family separation and exacerbate its negative effects’ in Jesuit Refugee Service Australia’s (JRS) submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Inquiry into the process and granting of family reunion visas. JRS highlighted five ways this occurs and provided eight recommendations for consideration including abolishing bans on overseas travel for temporary reunions overseas.

EVENT

Refugee Week: Unity

Refugee Week, 20 – 26 June, is an annual event focusing on raising awareness of the issues refugees face, celebrating the contribution of refugees and promotes harmony and togetherness. This year's theme is Unity focusing on the power of collective action. A virtual screening of Rosemary’s Way on Friday the 25 June at 7pm is a fundraiser event open to all people in Australia. There is also a conference from the 6 - 7 July Refugee Alternatives which is both face-to-face and online, convened by the Refugee Council of Australia.

NETWORKS

Community organising gets results

Community organising by an Alliance including Catholic congregations in Queensland has contributed to the State government announcing a $2 billion fund investing in renewable energy, storage, and hydrogen. Over 800 people gathered in the Queensland Community Alliance’s Budget Assembly, including members of the Brisbane Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission and parishes around South-East Queensland. The Queenslanders negotiated with the deputy Premier before the State Budget and secured significant commitments.

RESOURCES

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday - 4 July

Dynamic and engaging resources to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday have been released by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council. Homily notes, liturgy notes, prayers of intercession, videos and activities are available, celebrating this year’s theme Healing Country. “Today our world is in need of healing - environmentally, spiritually and socially. We must all come together … to fight the injustices of inequality, racism and environmental damage.”

EVENT

Sea Sunday 'Courage: I am with you' - 11 July

Seafarers are currently working across the seas, transporting goods in a global pandemic. This Sea Sunday, 11 July, our Christian community is being invited to pray, reflect, celebrate and support seafarers. Despite facing the possibility of catching the virus in the ports they enter, many are not seen as key workers and have not been vaccinated. Stella Maris, the Catholic maritime welfare agency provides practical, spiritual and pastoral support and is making an appeal to continue their vital work.

COMING SOON

Events approaching include:
- Launch of Social Justice Statement - 5 August
- Social Justice Sunday: 29 August
- Migrant and Refugee Sunday - 26 September

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 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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