Social Justice Trends

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In this edition of Social Justice Trends Peter Arndt introduces himself as the new Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace.

FROM THE OFFICE

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

Introduction to New Director

Peter Arndt, Director of the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, speaks about what is important to him in the role and thanks Dr Sandie Cornish for her work and dedication in the role. Peter speaks about the importance of a Culture of Encounter: “For me, social and environmental action needs to be situated where those struggling to overcome injustice and oppression are. I’ll be trying to encourage that approach through the work of the Office.”

NEWS

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

Uluru Statement from the Heart

An update is provided on the Uluru Statement from the Heart after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the referendum for the Voice to Parliament will occur in the 2023-2024 financial year. The ACBC endorsed the Statement last November and Dean Parkin spoke at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Assembly. Resources and ideas for grass roots promotion are available through a new website.

EVENT

16 days of Activism, the new National Plan and IDEVAG

The 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on Human Rights Day. The OJEP will hold an online event on November 25, from 3-5pm AEDT, highlighting the voices of women with lived experience and promoting the Bishops' Social Justice Statement calling out the use of religion to justify such violence. The new National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children has now been released.

NEWS

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

Anti-Poverty Week: 20 years Acting on Poverty

Anti-Poverty Week (October 16-22) is being observed this week, and we are being called on to raise awareness and taken action against poverty. Organisations such as Vinnies Australia are calling on all parliamentarians to halve the rate of child poverty by 2030. Recent reports show 761,000 children live below the poverty line and 500,000 households struggle to eat. Pope Francis’ message for World Day of the Poor (November 13) states, “This is the moment for us not to lose heart but to renew.”

RESOURCE

The Letter - Ground-breaking Laudato Si' Film and Prayer Campaign

The Letter is a documentary showcasing the stories of frontline champions and promotes the message of Pope Francis’ letter to the world - Laudato Si’ Caring for Our Common Home. The film includes the stories and experiences of people affected by the changing climate. There is also a 40-day Laudato Si’ Prayer Campaign in the lead-up to November 14 which marks when Laudato Si' Planning Guides and all related materials will be published.

NEWS

Looking Ahead to COP27 and COP15 this Year

The UN COP27 and COP15 are coming up in the next two months. These are key opportunities for global leaders to make the commitments necessary to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius and put protections in place to protect the beautiful biodiversity in God’s creation. A new State of the Environment report discusses the tragic impacts on Australia already and more information and resources will be provided by the Office in the next few weeks.

CAMPAIGN

End Temporary Protection

You are invited to contact your local federal parliamentarians to join your voice with calls to end Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs). The federal government has committed to this however there is no timeline in place, meaning people seeking asylum continue to be in limbo. Advocates across the country are asking for this and for people seeking asylum to finally be granted permanent protection.

EVENT

Cardijn Lecture 2022

The Cardijn Lecture, an annual initiative by the Australian Cardijn Institute, will be given by Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, President of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. He will speak on the theme, “Siblings all, Signs of the Times: The Social Teaching of Pope Francis." The lecture will take place on November 14 at 7.30pm AEDT and registrations are now open. The Cardijn Lecture began in 2018.

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.

Peter Arndt
Director
Office For Justice, Ecology and Peace
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
ojep@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.