Social Justice Trends | October 2021

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In October, Social Justice Trends focuses on advocating for a more just world.

FROM THE CHAIR

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

Questions on Submarine Spending

Bishop Vincent Long, Chair of the Australian Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, has written on the nuclear submarine deal by the Federal Government with the United States. “The Australian Government’s decision to buy nuclear-powered submarines has brought to the surface once again big questions around how governments should spend money, particularly during a pandemic.”

PLENARY COUNCIL

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

Call for Integral Ecclesiology

Fr Richard Lennan, Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College, addressed the First Assembly of the Plenary Council as one of its expert advisors. He explained that we need an "integral ecclesiology" to parallel Pope Francis' "integral ecology". This will mean taking into account how as many factors as possible fit in with our relationship with God, and with who we are as a people of faith.

Watch the video ...

NEWS

Laudato Si' Action Platform Update

Join with people around the world for the 40-day campaign of prayers for the Laudato Si' Action Platform. The prayers feature seven sectors of the Church invited to participate in the Laudato Si' Action Goals – individuals and families, education institutions, hospitals, the economy, groups and organisations, parishes and dioceses, and religious organisations. It ends on 14 November when the Laudato Si’ Planning Guides and related materials will be published.

RESOURCE

Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor Action Card heading

Pope, Patriarch and Archbishop Unite

“Today’s children and teenagers will face catastrophic consequences unless we take responsibility now,” Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury have said in a joint statement on the protection of Creation. They emphasise COP26: “We pray for our leaders who will gather in Glasgow to decide the future of our planet and its people…’To whom much is given, much is required.’ (Lk 12:48)."

NEWS

5 prayer cards for the Social Justice Statement 2021-22

Afghanistan and PNG Campaigns

The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum, of which the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace is a part, is running an ongoing campaign to support the people of Afghanistan. It is looking for people to contact their local member of Parliament and advocate for 20,000 refugee places and permanent protection. Offshore processes will end in Papua New Guinea with the Australian and PNG governments ending their agreement. The policies will continue on Nauru.

RESOURCE

First Anniversary of Fratelli Tutti

The first anniversary of the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti was celebrated on 3 October, 2021. The encyclical, which focuses on social friendship and overcoming racism and discrimination through dialogue and encounter, has a new website. It contains many resources anyone can use to share the message that we are all one family. Videos, infographics, reflections, social media graphics, photos and prayers are available.

RESOURCE

World Day of the Poor

The fifth World Day of the Poor will be celebrated around the world on 14 November. The theme for this year is “The Poor will Always Be With You”. The ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace has created a discussion guide for groups to reflect on the structures that lead to poverty and how we are all linked together as brothers and sisters. A prayer, prayer service and image are available to support parishes and schools.

RESOURCE

Dili Massacre 30th Anniversary

12 November marks the 30th anniversary of the Dili Massacre in Timor-Leste, which killed 271. Unarmed and peaceful protesters were violently attacked and killed by Indonesian troops at a Santa Cruz Cemetery while they advocated for justice after the death of Sebastiao Gomes two weeks earlier. Prayer, music and information is available to commemorate the day.

COMING SOON

- World Day of the Poor – 14 November
- International Ignatian Ecospirituality Conference – 25-30 April 2022

FEEDBACK

If you have any feedback for the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace 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 Donald Sproxton.

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DISCLAIMER
The Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace 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 OJEP 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 OJEP 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 Justice, Ecology and Peace 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
Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace
sandie.cornish@catholic.org.au

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