Social Justice Trends

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In the February edition of Social Justice Trends, we highlight news and resources which promote the dignity of the person and God's creation, today and into the future.

FROM THE CHAIR

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

Afghanistan Commitment Must Be More Generous

The Australian Bishops have responded to the Federal government's announcement that they would not allocate additional refugee places to deal with the Afghanistan crisis. The government will allocate 3,750 of the current places available to people from Afghanistan each year over the next four years. The Bishops advocate for at least 20,000 additional humanitarian places.

NEWS

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. Do: Australia Day Statement

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) released a statement ahead of 26 January, Australia Day. In it they affirm their belief that 27 May would be a better day to celebrate and encourage all Australians to take up the theme this year, adding one key element: Do. NATSICC provides a practical guide for all to make this their year of ‘Do’.

NEWS

Project Compassion 2022

“For All Future Generations” is the theme for this year’s Project Compassion. Supporting over three million people around the world each year, Caritas Australia is the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church. Caritas’ Lenten program, Project Compassion, is one of the foundations which allow it to work across dozens of countries around the world and build futures with and for all. Prayers, liturgies, activities and videos are available for schools, parishes and organisations to use this Lent.

FORMATION

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

Two New Podcast Episodes

The Office has created two new podcast episodes that delve into how Scripture and Justice, Ecology and Peace come together. In the first, Scripture scholar Sr Veronica Lawson discusses what it means to read scripture from an ecological stance, and what Pope Francis means when he encourages us to read Genesis 'with an appropriate hermeneutic'. In the second, Fr Khalid Marogi, Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, reflects on the story of Hagar, and the stranger in the scripture.

RESOURCES

5 prayer cards for the Social Justice Statement 2021-22

World Day of Peace Resources

Pope Francis has released his World Day of Peace Message 2022. This year Pope Francis focuses on dialogue between generations, education and the value of work and calls for all to work together. The Office has created a discussion guide for individuals and groups to use throughout the year. Along with the discussion guide, the Office has created a series of quote images that highlight the key themes from Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace Message 2022.

RESOURCES

NATSICC Online Retreat Recordings

Over 21–24 November, NATSICC held its first ever online retreat through Zoom. More than 120 people participated across the four days which included talks from Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green on Caring for Creation, Aunty Dulcie Isaro on Aboriginal Culture and Spirituality as well as online yarning circles and prayers. Multiple talks and two beautiful prayer reflections are now available for all to view online.

COMING SOON

- Pax Christi Conference on Security – 19 F ebruar y 2022
- 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
Director
Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace
sandie.cornish@catholic.org.au

You are receiving this because you subscribed from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace (formally the Office for Social Justice) website. The OJEP is an agency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.