Charter of the Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission

Our Charter

Introducing us

The Commission is made up of fifteen women, men, religious, lay and cleric. Our task is to work for peace by achieving justice, particularly through structural reform and social action. The Commission operates through a Charter which has been approved by the Archbishop, and the Commission is the official agency of the local Church on matters of Justice and Peace.

Our Hopes

Firstly, to be PROPHETIC – to challenge unjust situations with the message of the Gospel, by word and deed. Secondly, to be PRAGMATIC – to work in solidarity with others to transform those parts of our lives, our Church, our society and our world that do not contribute to the building of the Kingdom of justice, peace and love.

Our Aims

• To work for justice in social structures.
• To seek to work in conjunction with the victims of social injustice.
• To provide information, support and opportunities for social action for people of the church in their mission to give first concern to the poor, the powerless and oppressed members of society.
• To provide opportunities for educating the Catholic community in the social doctrine of the
• To provide a Christian context for the research and analysis of social issues where structural injustices occur.
• To help spread the Gospel message of justice in the local Church and wider community.

Our Actions

We are involved in monitoring developments locally and globally. We conduct research; provide information, services and support; prepare submissions; collaborate with other individuals and groups who serve the cause of Justice and Peace.

Our Commitment

We are committed to the empowerment of and empowerment by, individuals and groups with specific interests, skills, and experience in working for justice and peace.

Our Functions

1.To research, analyse and act on justice and peace issues. Such research and analysis may be done for the Commission by an external group or groups.

2.To conscientize the Church and public opinion to the problems of injustice that are the subject of its study and research.

3.To develop and promote models for social action on these problems.

4.To stimulate and support the establishment of local Catholic social justice groups, and to support individual and group initiatives.

5. To work in collaboration with other religious, civic and professional organisations similarly concerned with justice.

6. To initiate or to support activities in the preparation, promotion and use of the annual Social Justice Statement.

7. To provide such advice or information on social justice issues as the Archbishop of Brisbane may request from time to time.

8. To provide services, resources, resource personnel, e.g. for Parishes, Deaneries, Pastoral Councils, Council of Priests, Religious, etc.

9. To monitor the development and implementation of public policy as it affects social justice.

10. To prepare submissions and make representations to Government, politicians, public enquiries, etc., on social issues.

11. To make public statements in its own right following its consideration of particular social issues.

12. To act as a forum within the Church and the wider community.

Our Invitation

If you would like to collaborate with us-formally or informally – please contact our Executive Officer:

The Catholic Justice & Peace Commission of Brisbane
143 Edward Street, Brisbane
GPO Box 282 BRISBANE Q 4001
P: (07) 3336 9173
F: (07) 3336 9177
M: 0409 265 476
E-mail: arndtp@bne.catholic.net.au

The Commission’s capacity to fulfil its goals can be limited by the constraint of having only one full-time worker (the executive officer) and the Commission meeting monthly