You are invited to the launch of the Social Justice Statement 2021-2022
In a tradition reaching back to 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops release a major social justice statement each year in time for Social Justice Sunday. These statements encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on social, economic and ecological issues. They remind us of the social dimension of the mission of the Church. The annual Social Justice Statement is the only statement where all the Bishops of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) release a joint reflection on a particular topic. This year it focuses on why it is so important that we as a community respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor.
All are welcome to the online national launch of the Social Justice Statement 2021–22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor on 5 August at 5:30pm AEST. The Bishops proclaim: “It is not just a matter of awareness or changing our minds, but a shift at the level of the heart and will that results in changed action.” Join the launch of this foundational document for the conversion of the Australian Church to become wholly sustainable.
You will hear from guest speakers including Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Chair of the ACBC Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service. He will respond to the launch speaker and you will have the opportunity to ask your own questions about the statement and the inputs provided at the launch.
The statement, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, focuses on building the theological foundations of caring for our common home and our human family. It will also serve as a launch pad for the ACBC’s 7-year journey towards the Laudato Si’ Goals, creating a wholly sustainable Australian church.
Social Justice Sunday will be celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday in August. To bring the statement to life, prayers, reflections, an action card and other resources are available for parishes, schools, communities and dioceses to use in their contexts.
You can read more about the Social Justice Statement here.