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.
Accompanying People Seeking Asylum Information Session
The Commission will host a session to inform parishes, schools and agencies about the current situation for many people seeking asylum who are facing destitution on Saturday 2 June, 10 AM – 1 PM.
Accompanying People Seeking Asylum Information Session (flyer).
Accompanying People Seeking Asylum
Through our own encounters with people seeking asylum, the Commission has become aware of the growing number of people facing destitution. We have developed a resource to help parishes understand the problem and find ways to respond.
Auckland Diocese Commission Calls on Australia to Accept NZ Offer on Re-Settling Refugees
Our sister Justice & Peace Commission in Auckland has issued a release calling on the Australian Government to accept the offer of the NZ Government to resettle 150 refugees. They are also deeply concerned about the situation on Manus Island.
Manus Island Akl Catholic JP News release 15nov17
Listen to the Cries of the People, Listen to the Cries of the Earth
The Commission has issued a statement calling on all parties and candidates to listen to the cries of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific peoples and to the cries of the earth itself about the immense damage being caused by climate change. It also calls on them to listen to the cries of people in regional Queensland where there is much unemployment. The Commission urges that the Adani Carmichael coal mine not go ahead and that viable and sustainable alternatives be developed to help affected Queensland communities to transition to a carbon-free future.
Manus Island Detention Centre Call
The Catholic Justice & Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Brisbane joins with the Social Justice Commission of the Diocese of Toowoomba in calling on the Australian Government to end the current crisis on Manus Island by bringing all the refugees and men seeking asylum on Manus Island to Australia. The two Commissions also urge the Australian Government to accept the New Zealand Government’s offer to resettle 150 refugees.
