Social Justice Trends

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In this edition of Social Justice Trends we welcome the appointment of our new Director - Peter Arndt who begins his work on 10 October.

FROM THE CHAIR

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

Welcome to Peter Arndt

Bishop Vincent Long welcomes the newly appointed Director of the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, Mr Peter Arndt who commences in the role on 10 October 2022. Peter Arndt has been the Executive Officer of the Catholic Justice & Peace Commission in the Archdiocese of Brisbane and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in working in parish, diocesan and international settings. Peter will work in Brisbane and travel to Canberra as needed.

NEWS

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

New Disability Projects Officer

Damien Gardiner has been appointed as the new Disability Projects Officer of the ACBC. Mr Gardiner’s role will be to carry forward efforts to promote the full participation of people with a disability in the life of the Church. Bishop Tim Norton SVD, the Bishop Delegate for Disability Issues welcomed him, “Through his professional experience and through his personal faith commitment and practice, Damien is a wonderful addition to the Bishops Conference.”

RESOURCE

Migrant and Refugee Sunday

The 108^th World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be held this Sunday, 25 September around the world. The theme for this year is “Building the future with migrants and refugees.” A kit has been developed by the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office which features stories from the community as well as prayers and prayer services for schools and parishes, posters, and reflections for use.

NEWS

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

CAPSA Week of Prayer and Action

The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) is holding a National Week of Prayer and Action beginning on 25 September, World Day of Migrants and Refugees and ending on 30 September. On Tuesday 27 September, CAPSA is running an online webinar at 6.30pm AEST featuring four speakers on how we can all use our time, resources, heart and voice to advocate and take action alongside people seeking asylum.

DIOCESAN NETWORKS

Perth Launches Social Justice Statement

The Social Justice Statement 2022-23, Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse has been released and many Dioceses around the country have shared the statement and held launch events. The Archdiocese of Perth held its launch event in the week leading up to Social Justice Sunday. Carol Mitchell, Justice Ecology and Development Office Director for the Archdiocese launched the statement calling on all to prayerfully reflect on how we can create transformational change.

NEWS

Australian Synthesis for Global Synod Released

The Australian synthesis for the global Synod of Bishops has been published. Australians have “expressed a strong need for a Church that is missionary and a Eucharistic community that is inclusive.” Trudy Dantis, the director for the National Centre for Pastoral Research which prepared the synthesis said, “Through the Synod of Bishops and the Plenary Council, we have been able to capture and listen more deeply to the voices of people within and beyond the Catholic population.”

NEWS

NATSICC Assembly underway

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) is this week conducting its national assembly in the diocese of Townsville. After needing to be rescheduled due to COVID-19, Indigenous Catholics from around the country are travelling to be together and share in their faith, knowledge, and community. The theme for this year’s assembly is, “Holy Spirit in this Land.”

RESOURCES

Season of Creation

Season of Creation has been running throughout September and concludes on 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. The theme for this year is
“Listen to the Voice of Creation” which highlights and amplifies voices that can become muted yet experience the worst impacts of climate change. Many events, prayers, liturgies, videos, activities and competitions are taking place across the month.

COMING SOON

- World Day of the Poor - 13 November
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - 25 November

FEEDBACK

If you have any feedback for the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace please contact us at ojep@catholic.org.au.

BISHOPS COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, MISSION AND SERVICE

Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFM Conv (Chair), Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop Julian Porteous, Bishop Martin Ashe, Bishop Michael Kennedy, Bishop Tim Norton SVD

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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 contact us.

Alison Burt
Executive Secretary
Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service
ojep@catholic.org.au

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