The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference release a
Social Justice Statement in September every year

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2022-2023:

Bishop Paul Bird talks about this year’s statement, titled Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse below:

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2022-2023:

The Australian Catholic Bishops have released their annual social justice statement – a practice dating back to the 1940s. This year’s statement, titled Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse, addresses the scourge of domestic and family violence in society. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB writes in the statement’s foreword that “The teaching of Christ urges us to promote relationships marked by respect and freedom rather than coercion and control. The message of the Gospel is not a message of domination of one person over another but a message of mutual esteem and kindness.”

The Social Justice Statement is attached here, and can also be found on the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace website. Other resources, including images, prayer and liturgy material, newsletter notices and multimedia files, can also be found on that website.

The Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse Social Justice Statement has been published ahead of the Church’s celebration of Social Justice Sunday on August 28.

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2021-2022:

Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor

The Bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, affirms that “we human beings need a change of heart, mind, and behaviour”. It draws from Scripture, from the theological tradition, from Catholic Social Teaching, and from the wisdom of the world, including the insights of the First Nations.

To download the Statement and for further resources and information regarding the Social Justice Statement, visit the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council website.

A BALLARAT RESPONSE TO THE
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS
SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2021-2022
“CRY OF THE EARTH CRY OF THE POOR”

The Creator of all calls us to practice a new way of living, one that is “good, true and beautiful.” (LS 205)
We commit to take action together because it is “urgent and necessary.” (LS 57)
www.laudatosiactionplatform.com

Ballarat Diocesan Social Justice Commission forum –
Listening, learning…change.

Inspired by the latest Social Justice Statement, “Cry of the Earth Cry of the Poor”, the Ballarat Diocesan Social Justice Commission hosted a forum on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 10.00am – 3.00pm. The forum was attended in person and via parish hubs.  Key messages from the Statement were selected and the following experts were invited to respond:

• Jeanette Morris: Acknowledgement of Country and Opening Prayer.
• Bishop Paul Bird: Introduce the Bishops Statement “Cry of the Earth Cry of the Poor”.
• Dr Mark Diesendorf:  Listening to and learning from the world – what the science is telling us.
• Dr Sandie Cornish:  Listening and drawing wisdom from our own wells – responding to the “Cry of the Earth Cry of the Poor.”
• Vicki Clark:  Listening to creation – a call to care for Country.
• Jacqui Remond: Caring for creation – watering the seeds of change.

“We were made for love,” and deeper relationships
will nourish us wherever the Holy Spirit leads. (LS 58)
www.laudatosiactionplatform.org

A report from the Conference was published in the
dicoesan e-News on November 30, 2021:

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2020-2021:

To Live Life to the Full

MENTAL HEALTH WEBINAR

BDSJC hosted a Zoom webinar launching the 2020-2021 Bishop’s Conference Social Justice Statement ‘To Live Life to the Full, Mental Health in Australia Today’. The statement offers information on how we can care for our most vulnerable during the pandemic.  It encourages faith communities, governments and each one of us, to make mental health a priority.  Bishop Paul Bird introduced the Statement and outlined its contents highlighting the vulnerabilities in Australia.  Bishop Paul outlined the challenges faced in seeking help for mental ill health and the human and financial costs involved.  He reminded participants of how Jesus suffered psychological distress and offered care and healing to others.

Graeme Davy-Watts (Manager of Centacare, Mildura) talked to participants about the availability of mental health services in Australia today and what solutions-based supports, services and programs are available for parents and families for preventing mental ill health.  Graeme shared strategies for maintaining mental health using positive psychology and focusing on personal strengths, connecting with others, being active, continuing to learn, being aware and helping others.  The webinar empowered participants to both understand the issues around mental health and to reach out, encourage hope and bring fullness of life to those we love and care for.  Participants attended from various areas in regional Victoria.

Download Graeme’s handout here

WATCH THE WEBINAR HERE

MENTAL HEALTH FOR US ALL

The Commission also provides contact information of services to assist with mental health.