Social Justice Trends

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In this edition of Social Justice Trends we focus on creating an economy that works for all and share the Bishops' Pastoral Message for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker (1 May).

FROM THE CHAIR

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

Laudato Si' Week Australia: Dates Announced

Why are the dates for the celebration of Laudato Si’ Week in Australia (16-24 May) different from those on the international Laudato Si’ Week website? These dates allow both Laudato Si’ Week, and National Reconciliation Week from 27 May-3 June, to be celebrated appropriately by Australian Catholics. The dates were announced in the Social Justice Statement Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor

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RESOURCE

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

Bishops Call for a Better Kind of Politics - Election Resource

The Australian Catholic Bishops have released a new election resource highlighting key issues for consideration this election. The guide does not assign ratings to candidates or parties, but rather gives a background on the different issues that the Bishops feel are to be considered in good conscience while deciding our votes. Tools to promote the resource are also available including parish bulletins and promotional images.

REFLECTION

Pope Francis Easter Message

Pope Francis has delivered his Urbi et Orbi, or message "for Rome and the World," for Easter 2022. He focuses on the importance of peace in a world at the end of an "endless" Lent with COVID-19, multiple wars and facing the difficulties of climate change. “Brothers and sisters, may we be won over by the Peace of Christ! Peace is possible; peace is a duty; peace is everyone's primary responsibility.”

RESOURCE

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

1 May - Feast of St Joseph the Worker

1 May is the Feast of St Joseph the Worker and the ACBC Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service is highlighting the growing trend of people needing to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFM Conv speaks in a video message that can be played in parishes and schools as part of the celebrations of St Joseph the Worker. Multiple resources including image quotes are also available.

NEWS

5 prayer cards for the Social Justice Statement 2021-22

Federal Budget Reactions

The Federal Budget was delivered in recent weeks and many Catholic organisations have issued a response from their perspective. While there have been some welcomed initiatives, aged care and health care services stated the Budget does not meet the needs of industries in acute crisis and Catholic Social Services Australia said the measures introduced will do little to address long-term poverty.

EVENT

23 April - Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy Workshop

The Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (NSW) is running an online workshop on “Whether the economy can serve the community's needs”. Held via Zoom from 9am to 3:30pm on Saturday 23 April, speakers will answering questions on how an economy can serve the community while embracing respect for the natural world.

NEWS

New Zealand Refugee Deal Accepted

After years of holding asylum-seekers in detention, the Australian government has agreed to a deal proposed years ago by the New Zealand government. Asylum-seekers will be transferred to New Zealand where they will live in freedom. The Australian Bishops welcome this development, “We ask for an end to indefinite detention and for pathways to permanent visas for all those who are determined to be refugees or who meet humanitarian criteria.”

EVENT

Be Brave. Make Change.

Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) is approaching and the theme for this year is, “Be Brave. Make Change”. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council has helped many Dioceses and Catholic agencies create a Reconciliation Action Plan and encourages organisations to do so. The theme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday (3 July) is, “The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. Get up! Stand up! Show up!”

COMING SOON

- 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.