Social Justice Trends | February 2023

Latest news from the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace

Dear Friend,

In this edition of Social Justice Trends we reflect on the recent Federation of Bishop's Conferences of Oceania and recent developments within the Australian political landscape.

FROM THE OFFICE

Opening Mass at the Federation of Bishops Conferences of Oceania presided over by Cardinal Czerny

From the Director

Director of the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace, Peter Arndt, reflects on the focus of the Assembly of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania in Suva, Fiji, on care for the oceans and shares information on a new Laudato Si’ resource co-created by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Swedish Environmental Institute.

NEWS

Saying Yes to the Voice

The Yes campaign for the Voice referendum begins this week. Churches and faith communities prepare to support the Yes campaign and we share an explanation of the Voice by 2023 Senior Australian of the Year, Professor Tom Calma.

NEWS

A crowded Mass, from the back of the church looking towards the altar

No One Can Be Saved Alone

Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of Peace 2023, No One Can Be Saved Alone, considers the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and argues for a commitment to solidarity and the common good.

NEWS

A crowd at a rally, with a sign in the background reading "Social Justice"

World Social Justice Day

February 20 was World Social Justice Day. This year’s theme focusses on the value of collaboration, and we consider how collaboration can help us in Australia to promote reconciliation and unity.

NEWS

A pair of hands, reaching up to climb over a barbed wire fence, with gloomy grey skies in the background

Struggle for Human Rights

On-going human rights violations in a number of our neighbours should be of concern to us in Australia. We look briefly at the human rights situations in Myanmar, Hong Kong and West Papua.

NEWS

New Priorities for Protecting the Environment

In December, Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, announced the Australian Government’s response to the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. We look at the proposed reforms. We also consider the Government’s recent decision to block the development of a coal mine just 10 km. from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We also encourage participation in this year’s Clean Up Australia Day on 5 March.

NEWS

Cupped hands filled with small easter eggs

Challenging Slavery at Easter

Australian Catholic Religious against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) has done much to challenge human trafficking and modern slavery in this country. We invite you to purchase Easter eggs and chocolates with a view to challenging slavery and exploitation in the chocolate supply chain.

NEWS

A woman with Down Syndrome, working on a laptop in a modern apartment

The Church Is Our Home

The Vatican has prepared a series of videos to help us to reflect on some important issues in the lead up to the Synod on Synodality in October. We look at one of the videos which focusses on the inclusion of people with a disability in the Church.

NEWS

A Text graphic reading "Stop Violence against Women"

Domestic Violence Leave

New Federal laws mandating paid domestic violence leave come into effect this month. The 2022 – 2023 ACBC Social Justice Statement, Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse, considers domestic violence against women and children. It lays out the values which the Church brings to this challenging issue in society. We welcome the new domestic violence measures and explain how they will work and how they will support women living in violent relationships.

NEWS

A drawing on a chalkboard of the silhouettes of a family with two young children, fleeing, with a chain link fence border

Change in Refugee Laws May Bring Justice

Plans to change arrangements for refugees in Australia have recently been announced. These changes include the abolition of Temporary Protection Visas and the possibility of family reunions for refugees living in Australia. We also look at Greens legislation which would bring refugees and people seeking asylum currently held in PNG and Nauru to Australia.

Learn about Catholic Social Teaching

The Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace is collaborating with the Broken Bay Institute to offer an 8 week Catholic Social Teaching course. The course begins on 6 March. Learn more about this affordable course and consider registering.

https://www.bbi.catholic.edu.au/courses-conferences/catholic-social-justice-teachings/

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

FORWARD TO A FRIEND
If you know someone who would like to view this newsletter, please click here.
If your friend would like to subscribe to this list, please click here.

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.