Social Justice Trends

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In this edition of Social Justice Trends we highlight working with people at the peripheries of power.

FROM THE OFFICE

2021-22 Launch invitation for Social Justice Statement

The Peripheries of Power

Peter Arndt, director of the ACBC Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace reflects on the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Pacific Islanders who have gone to global summits like COP27. He writes that they are often left feeling frustrated and angry at being forced to the peripheries of power. We must be together with them at the peripheries and follow their lead. It is there we will meet Jesus and make progress, together.

EVENT

Front cover of the Social Justice Statement

November 25 Event

Join us on November 25 at 3pm AEDT for an online event for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, highlighting the Bishops 2022-2023 Social Justice Statement, Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse. Speakers include Bishop Vincent Long, Michael Jeh, an Ambassador for Small Steps 4 Hannah organisation, Christine Carolan from ACRATH and Shatha Jajo from JRS. Registrations now open.

RESOURCE

COP 27 and COP 15 Information Sheet

COP 27 on climate change has been taking place in Egypt over the last two weeks. It is the first of two crucial global meetings where world leaders will discuss and make agreements to combat climate change and rapid loss of biodiversity. OJEP has created this fact sheet to provide information, reflections from Pope Francis, prayer and action ideas for those following these events closely. Feel free to share with friends, groups, schools and parishes.

NEWS

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

Torres Strait Islanders Take Action

A group of eight Torres Strait Islanders have gone to the United Nations and have successfully brought a complaint against the Australian Government for failing to protect their human rights in the face of rising sea levels. They are facing rising waters affecting their food gardens, cemeteries and coast lines. An in-depth article by SBS introduces us to some of the Torres Strait Islander climate heroes and tells us why they are so passionate about their cause.

RESOURCE

Anti-racism Ally Guide

Amnesty International has released an anti-racism ally guide that is available for all to read and reflect on free of charge. The guide is for people who want to stop racism and support the anti-racism efforts they see around them. It says allies are people who make a lifelong commitment to learning, listening and taking action, led by people of colour. It presents six steps as key and urges the amplification of marginalised voices.

NEWS

Laudato Si' Platform Anniversary

The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is celebrating its first anniversary. The platform is an opportunity for families, parishes, schools, businesses, hospitals and organisations to work towards total sustainability and collate information across the world. It is easy to pledge and receive the information needed and get to work in whatever your context. The recording of the first anniversary celebration is available now.

EVENT

Our Ocean Home: 28-30 Nov

On November 28-30, the Laudato Si’ Inspired Conference: Our Ocean Home will take place online from 3-5pm each day. This event includes “storytelling, reflection, practical theology, scientific exploration and dialogue from across Oceania in preparation for the 2023 Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO) Assembly in Fiji”. Registrations are open.

EVENT

NATSICC Assembly Videos

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council ran their national assembly in Townsville. It was an incredible event especially given this was the first time the community has been able to get together since COVID-19 began. The website now has available a video with photos of the assembly as well as a 20-minute wrap-up video which summarises the event.

COMING SOON

- 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

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