ACSJC Briefing No 175 - February 2016

FROM THE SECRETARIAT: Francis affirms 'human ability to conquer evil'

Pope Francis had encouraging words in his message for the World Day of Peace on the first day of the new year. His message is a heartfelt plea to us all to engage with the world around us, not to turn our backs on suffering and injustice, and 'not to lose hope in our human ability to conquer evil' and to combat resignation and indifference. Read more

ISSUES: Bishop Long challenges Govt on human rights

On Human Rights Day on 10 December, ACSJC Chair Bishop Vincent Long called on the Australian government to take stock of its performance. He specified the relative lack of progress on key 'Closing the Gap' targets of life expectancy, literacy, numeracy and employment, as well as the 'unfolding human rights disaster' of Australia's continued detention of asylum seekers in the offshore immigration facilities. Read more

PUBLICATIONS: 2016 Social Justice Diary still available

The 2016 Social Justice Diary includes the dates of significant events, anniversaries and special days which celebrate particular aspects of social justice. The Diary provides a social justice program for the full year. Information and ideas for prayer and reflection are included. This is an essential resource for teachers and parishes. Read more

EVENTS: Day of prayer, reflection and action against human trafficking

The Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life and Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans are calling for a day of prayer, reflection and action against human trafficking on the 8 February feast of St Josephine Bakhita. Read moreNATIONAL | NSW | ACT | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | NT

NEWS: Cardinal Pell calls on rich to pay debt to future

In January, Cardinal George Pell told an international finance conference in Rome that societies such as Australia are unwilling to admit they are living beyond their means and that 'the immense differences in incomes around the world is daunting'. Read more

DIARY: 13 February 2008: Australian Government Apology to Stolen Generations

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a broad apology to all Aborigines and the Stolen Generations for their 'profound grief, suffering and loss' in a carefully worded statement that was greeted by a standing ovation today. Thousands of Aboriginal Australians gathered in Canberra to watch the historic apology, which was televised around the nation and shown at special outdoor settings in remote indigenous communities. Read more

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL PO Box 7246, Alexandria NSW 2015. Tel: (02) 8306 3499, Fax: (02) 8306 3498, Email: admin@acsjc.org.au Website: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au. ACSJC Briefing is sent by email at the beginning of each month (except January). To subscribe or unsubscribe, send an email to admin@acsjc.org.au