Plea to focus on social justice

In their statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division, the Bishops have asked for a renewed focus on ways to make Australia a more cohesive society.

In the statement’s preface, Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said, “This statement invites us to see our current social climate as an opportunity to witness to the Gospel.

“We offer Jesus and the hope born of his death and resurrection. When we choose forgiveness over enmity, hospitality over isolation and solidarity over vilification, we help to create the conditions in which a more peaceful society can prosper.”

The statement mentions the Bondi Beach shootings in December and the alarming rise in Islamophobia and other forms of racism. Also listed are a range of actions to build social cohesion, which it argues can only come through practising a “culture of encounter”.

“It entails drawing close to others who have very different life experiences from ours. It means deep solidarity with them, seeing their plight with our hearts and not just with our eyes, listening intently and not just hearing, not passing by, but stopping to engage with them with great compassion, not pity.”

Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service chair, Bishop Tim Harris, said the Church had a key role to play in building a culture of listening and inclusion.

The core of Catholic social justice includes Human dignity; The common good; Solidarity; Subsidiarity; A special focus on the poor; and Peace and care for creation.

The statement and other resources can be found at Social Justice Statements

Source: ACBC Media Blog.

We encourage you to share and use this material on your own website. However, when using materials from Majellan Media’s website, please include the following in your citation:  Sourced from www.majellan.media