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 Laudato Si' Week and highlight a personal reflection from Lismore Diocese on what Laudato Si' means to them after the floods.

FROM THE OFFICE

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

Laudato Si' Week Australia: Interconnection

Sandie Cornish, Director of the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, reflects on Laudato Si’ Week, the Laudato Si’ Goals and the interconnected issues that an integral ecology must address. She highlights our feature article from Lismore diocese on Laudato Si’ and the effects and response of the floods, Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), Refugee Week (19-25 June) and talanoa sharing stories around the mat present in the Pacific Council of Churches.

REFLECTION

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

Lismore Flood Recovery:
'Standing on Holy Ground'

The Catholic Schools Diocese of Lismore Mission team has written an on-the-ground reflection on what Laudato Si’ means to them. They share their experience of ‘Standing on Holy Ground’ as they support each other after the floods and rebuild following catastrophic flooding where 12 of their schools had damage to at least half of their buildings, and three schools were completely inundated. You can support with prayers and by responding to their appeal.

NEWS

Talanoa Meeting with Bhagwan - NCCA Assembly

You are invited to a Talanoa Meeting and dialogue taking place on 27 May, led by the National Council of Churches Australia. It will be an update from the Pacific Ecumenical Community featuring Rev James Bhagwan, the General Secretary of Pacific Conference of Churches, who has been a key advocate for climate justice. Talanoa is a way of dialogue that seeks consensus and integrating decision-making.

EVENT

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

Diocese of Parramatta Laudato Si' Action Campaign Launched

The Diocese of Parramatta has launched their Laudato Si' Action Campaign in their communities. Releasing a video sent to all parishes, it combines schools, parishes and organisations to show their support of the Laudato Si' Action Plan as well as highlighting the great projects already working in the Diocese. Bishop Vincent Long committed to a base line assessment of the Diocese resources to guide its seven-year plan.

NEWS

Cardinal Zen Arrested

Retired Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen was arrested on 11 May and faces charges “simply because he served as a trustee of a fund which provided legal aid to activists facing court cases” says Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences President Cardinal Charles Bo. Cardinal Bo has called for prayer for Cardinal Zen on 24 May, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians.

RESOURCE

Minimum Wage Should Rise: Bishops

The Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations has argued for an increase in the minimum wage of 6.5%. Working on behalf of the Bishops, ACCER submitted this recommendation to the Annual Wage Review saying that no Australian should live below the poverty line. Spokesperson Stephen Mackie said, “The problem is children are being brought up in poverty.”

RESOURCES

5 prayer cards for the Social Justice Statement 2021-22

Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

Sorry Day (26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) both focus on alleviating personal, social and cultural injustice that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have faced from non-Indigenous Australia. The onus of these events is on non-Indigenous organisations, people and groups to take steps to “Be Brave. Make Change.” This is the theme of this year’s week and Reconciliation Action Plans are a good first step.

EVENT

Refugee Week Prayer Service

You are invited to join the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace for an online prayer service on World Refugee Day. Registration to attend the prayer service which will take place at 6 pm AEST on 20 June is now open. The two Offices have also combined to produce resources to encourage the celebration of Refugee Week 19-25 June. Resources will include videos, Catholic Social Teaching fact sheets and prayers.

COMING SOON

- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday – 3 July 2022
- Social Justice Sunday - 28 August 2022
- NATSICC Assembly - 19-23 September 2022
- Migrant and Refugee Sunday - 25 September 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

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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

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