Violence in West Papua
In recent months, a series of anti-racism demonstrations took place in West Papua. Dozens were killed and arrested and a number of buildings were damaged. A recent report by Papuan churches provides details of the demonstrations. It includes eyewitness accounts of the involvement of Indonesian migrants in the planning and initiation of the violence and vandalism associated with the demonstrations.
Commission Calls for Catholics to Join Global #Climate Strike
The Commission urges Catholics to join young people in the Global #ClimateStrike this Friday 20 September at 1:00 PM at Queens Gardens, Brisbane.
Brisbane Launch of Australian Bishops’ 2019-2020 Social Justice Statement
Event: Brisbane of Australian Bishops’ 2019-2020 Social Justice Statement
Date: Wednesday 25 September 2019
Time: 7:00 PM refreshments for a 7:30 PM start till 9:00 PM
Where: St James’ Hall, 92 Kirkland Ave, Coorparoo
Description: Archbishop Mark Coleridge will launch this year’s Social Justice Statement dealing with the challenge of putting people at the centre of the digital world. Well-known journalist and radio presenter, Madonna King, will lead a conversation about the statement with a panel of communications experts, Elizabeth Kehoe, Veronica Kopinski & Dave Jorna.
Archbishop of Suva to Launch Brisbane’s Living Laudato Si’ Initiative
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, Archbishop of Suva, Fiji and President of the Oceania Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences, will speak at a number of events on September 1 & 2 to launch the Living Laudato Si’ Initiative for the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Living Laudato Si 2019 Date Claimers
NAIDOC Week 2019
NAIDOC Week runs from 7 July to 14 July. It celebrates the culture, history and contribution of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Brisbane City Council has provided us with a list of Brisbane NAIDOC Week events and we have prepared a list of some NAIDOC Week events in other parts of south-east Queensland. We hope to see you at some of these events.
Indigenous – NAIDOC – Outline of NAIDOC Events held 2019 – 3 May 2019
Catholics Urged to Show Hope on World Refugee Day
Catholics should be signs of hope in the face of continuing harsh and cruel policies towards refugees and people seeking asylum, according to the Chair of the Brisbane Archdiocesan Justice & Peace Commission, Ms Maree Rose.
Ms Rose said the Commission was particularly concerned about the removal of income and accommodation support to hundreds of people seeking asylum in south-east Queensland. She also expressed concern about the plight of refugees who have been held on Nauru and Manus Island for many years.
“As Christians, we need to resist this cruelty with every fibre of our being,” Ms Rose said.
“We need to stand against these harsh, dehumanising policies spiritually, mentally and physically,” she added.
“So many politicians are exploiting fear in our community and are scapegoating refugees and people seeking asylum,” she said.
“As Christians, let’s resist this fear mongering with love and compassion for all in the same way as God does,” she said.
“Let’s not close in on ourselves but reach out in love, building relationships with people who come to our shores seeking peace and freedom,” Ms Rose added.
“Let’s offer support and practical assistance in the same way as many Catholics here and around Australia are already doing,” she said.
Ms Rose made these comments after leading the Commission’s contingent in this year’s Luminous Lantern Parade in the Southbank Parklands on June 7.
“We joined 40,000 people who were all as one in offering a warm welcome to migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum,” Ms Rose said.
“Catholics from various parishes joined us in being signs of hope and compassion,” she said.
“It was particularly touching to have a number of Muslim women from northern NSW join our contingent,” she said.
“It was a wonderful experience to be part of a group of people from different countries and faiths joining together as one in a show of hope and love,” Ms Rose said.
“World Refugee Day is June 20; let’s all make a commitment on this day to renew our efforts to fill our hearts with love and compassion for all people who come to our country seeking a new life,” she said.
For further information and comments, please contact Peter Arndt on 0409 265 476.
Australia Must Listen to Pacific Leaders on Climate and West Papua
The Commission has called on the Australian Government to listen to the calls of the peoples of the Pacific for a strong commitment to climate action and for support for taking the self-determination demands of the people of West Papua to the UN.
2018 – 2019 Social Justice Statement Launch
The Australian Bishops’ 2018 – 2019 Social Justice Statement, “A Place to Call Home: Making a Home for Everyone in Our Land”, will be launched in Brisbane by Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO, on Wednesday 12 September, at 7:30 PM, at St James’ Parish Hall, Coorparoo. For full details, see the flyer.
SJS 2018 A Place to Call Home
#WeSayNoToCruelty
Join the Commission’s campaign to say “NO!” to cruelty to people seeking asylum. Over 300 people seeking asylum have lost most Government support and are being left destitute. Why not take a photo of a group from your parish, school or agency expressing solidarity with our sisters and brothers and either send it to the Commission or post it on our A Movement of the Heart Facebook page. See below for full instructions.
*Declaration on Destitution
*MR Photo Advocacy Campaign Asylum Seekers August 2018
*#WeSayNoToCruelty Photo Campaign Guide2
Luminous Lantern Parade
The Commission invites parishes, schools and agencies to join our contingent behind the Commission banner and lantern at the annual Luminous Lantern Parade on Friday 8 June at the Southbank Parklands.
