About Social Justice Sunday and the Bishops Social Justice Statement
With a tradition stretching back to 1940, the Australian Bishops Conference contributes to the development of local Catholic Social Teaching by releasing a major social justice statement each year in the lead up to Social Justice Sunday, which this year falls on Sunday 27 August. These statements encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on the social, economic and ecological aspects of the Church’s mission.
The title of the Social Justice Statement 2023-24 is Listen, Learn, Love: A new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It includes experiences and views shared by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) and calls for the Church – and society more widely – to listen to, engage and address the pain of First Nations Peoples in new ways, in order to bring an end to centuries of injustice.
The Bishop’s Social Justice Statement discusses the upcoming referendum regarding Indigenous Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament as an important moment for Australia as we listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters on this important decision. The Statement encourages Catholics and wider Australia to seek out and carefully consider information about the proposal, with special reference to the hopes and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The contribution of NATSICC to the Statement includes these comments:
Australians have an opportunity to begin a new chapter this year with the referendum on the Voice to Parliament… We, NATSICC, feel that the referendum is too important to fail. The consequences for our people and the whole nation would be devastating.
NATSICC in ‘Listen, Learn, Love’
As encouraged by the Statement, CSSV has been actively engaged in facilitating dialogues, sharing information and listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the proposed Voice to Parliament. In February 2023, CSSV released Relentlessly Pursuing Reconciliation in which CSSV’s support for the Voice, along with treaty and truth-telling, were outlined. This concluded with the words:
We have reached a time of great possibility in making meaningful reparation for the past and building a better future – in this moment it is the offer of a constitutional referendum to decide upon a Voice to the Australian Parliament. We know that the success of any referendum relies on a ‘double majority’ vote in the affirmative. We implore each member of the Victorian and Australian community to make every effort to ensure this valuable opportunity is not missed. By finding common ground, setting aside political differences and seizing this as an opportunity to listen and learn we can positively bring into being a time where all in Australia “may have life and have it abundantly”.
This Social Justice Sunday we encourage you to reflect on the place of First Nations Peoples, new ways we can engage and walk together, and the importance of the upcoming referendum and the outcomes that will lead to better consultation, improved policies and services, and stronger communities.
Ideas for Social Justice Sunday and beyond
In your own context, whether that be a parish, social service organisation or other community group, why not consider:
- Taking time to read and reflect on the Bishop’s Social Justice Statement
- Exploring the resources available on the Social Justice Statement 2023/24 page on the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference Office for Social Justice website.
- Exploring the Voice websites developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, especially NATSICC’s One Journey, Together site – indigenousvoice.church
- Organising a Voice to Parliament Kitchen Table Conversation – One Journey, Together have developed a guided conversation you can have with a small group or parishioners, colleagues, family or friends
- Reaching out to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in your area to get to know local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people better
- If your diocese has an Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, get in touch with them and participate in their activities
- Learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history
- Attending events and ceremonies organised by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Find more resources here.
Please contact the CSSV office if we can assist further: office@css.org.au
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