Justice & Peace Office Annual Report 2023

20 23

ANNUAL REPORT

d n a e c i t Jus e c i f f O e c a e P JPO ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Acknowledgement of Country The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney acknowledges and pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Nation Peoples of Australia, on whose ancestral homelands we live, serve, learn, worship and work; the homelands of Eora, Guringai, Dharawal, and Dharug peoples. We acknowledge this land was never ceded and it remains a contested place.

We wait to live in right relationship with the country and her First Peoples.

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

We celebrate the histories, languages, cultures and spirituality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We respect their continuing connections to Country and Sea over thousands of generations, as the world’s oldest living cultures. We seek to learn and embrace their care and love of country.

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CONTENTS

Table of Contents 03

11

Who we are

Care for Creation

04

12

About us

No More Just War

05

13

Report from the Promoter

Toward a Peaceful Pacific

of Justice & Peace

06

Reflecting on the Referendum

07

A Reconciliation Action Plan for Sydney

08

Sydney Alliance

09

14

Night of Lamentation

15

Curious Grace and Aged Care

17

Street Feast

18

Immigration Detention

Interdiocesan

19

Collaborations

Internship and Mentoring

10

21

Social Justice Gatherings &

Publications and

Parish Engagement

Communications

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WHO WE ARE Fr Peter Smith Promoter of Justice and Peace

Dr Julie Macken Social Justice Facilitator

Dr Robbie Lloyd Social Justice Facilitator

Dr Michael Walker Social Justice Facilitator

Cailey Sharp Social Justice Facilitator

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ABOUT US The Justice and Peace Office is an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney which promotes justice, peace, ecology and development through advocacy and activities based on the social teachings of the Catholic Church.

We try to follow Jesus’ example of getting our hands dirty in the pursuit of the common good and social justice outcomes across society. Our inspiration often comes from those great Catholic campaigners who fought over the centuries for better outcomes in their communities. This approach works out in practice as “Show, Don’t Tell.”

In the end, the Justice and Peace Office is really just a group of people trying to discern the direction of the Spirit and supporting each other to move meaningfully and effectively in that direction. We believe our role is to be alive to the Spirit, the moment in which we live and alive to the possibilities of creating a more humane, compassionate, and inclusive world. This demands we advocate for those without voice or political power, that we imagine how we can do things better, and that we work in coalition with people and communities of good will to build the common good.

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"Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation…"

Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World

We’ve moved!

We are now located at: St Martha’s 38 Renwick Street Leichhardt

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Report from Promoter of Justice and Peace Fr Peter Smith

During this year we have continued to address our mandate: To promote awareness, understanding and action in relation to justice, peace, ecology and development as guided by Catholic Social Teaching.

I am constantly reminded of the words of the Synod of Bishops 1971 Statement Justice in the world. It reminds me that the challenge of building a more just world is not just an add on but is “constitutive” of what it means to be Christian and indeed, I believe, human.

The following pages provide a snapshot of what we have done over the last 12 months. Set against a background of a turbulent year both internationally and locally.

On the world stage, sadly, war has dominated. The year started with Russia invading the Ukraine and closes with the Israel and Palestinian Gaza conflict.

Unrest however continues in Sudan and Myanmar amongst other places of unrest. Climate Change continues to overshadow the world as the Conference of Parties (COP28) met in Dubai. Locally we saw a change of State Government in NSW, resignation of premiers and ministers and a failed referendum on the Voice to Parliament. The media continues to report the foibles of our elected representatives belying the good work and commitment of so many of them.

The work and events described here can both reveal and hide the enormous amount of work that the staff and interns have committed to throughout the year. Each event and activity represent countless hours of research, meetings, collaboration and organisation.

I am indeed fortunate to work with such a dedicated and committed group of people who seek a more just world. I would also like to thank our supporters including Archbishop Anthony Fisher and the staff of the Chancery, priests and people in parishes, likeminded people in religious life and lay not for profit organisations and so many others. I would like to single out and thank the PAYCE foundation for financial support for some of our events.

Let us continue to “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8)

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Reflecting on the Referendum This year on the 14th of October we saw Australia vote in a referendum to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples a Voice to Parliament. The referendum was a response to a promise made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he was elected in May 2022 to support the Uluru Statement from the heart: Voice Treaty Truth.

The referendum was always going to be a difficult win. Of the 48 referenda held since federation only 8 have been successful and all of these had bi-partisan support which the Voice did not. The referendum failed spectacularly as the polls predicted with a 60.06% no vote and 39.94% yes vote nationally. The ACT was the only jurisdiction with a majority yes; 61.29% to 38.71%.

The Justice and Peace Office supported the yes campaign. We did so standing alongside our Catholic Indigenous leaders from NATSICC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council) and many of our other First Nations friends.

Whilst the ACBC (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference) did not publicly endorse a Yes vote they did include NATSICC’s endorsement in their annual social justice statement and all, in various ways, brought their desire for reconciliation to the Catholic Community.

Since the polling results there has been much reflection as to why the Voice to Parliament failed. As stated above it was not bipartisan, many said they did not understand what it was about, there was fear of the ramifications, and some just plain racism, among other reasons. What is concerning is the rise of self-interest in Australian politics: “what’s in it for me?” becomes the criteria for voter choice. This is increasingly evident in all levels of government elections.

Despite the outcome of the Federal Referendum on the Voice, the Justice and Peace Office continues to listen to First Nations People. We wish to continue to move forward the reconciliation agenda, to heal the wounds of the past, bring dignity to the present and hope for the future.

This can only be achieved through what Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM calls Dadirri or deep listening. The referendum on the Voice to Parliament may have failed in itself but it has successfully challenged our nation to reflect on how we can build reconciliation with our indigenous sisters and brothers. That work goes on.

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A Reconciliation Action Plan for Sydney The Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for the Archdiocese began its patient roll-out over the past year. Staff were invited to engage in online cultural competency training, and to begin getting to understand their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander historical and cultural contexts.

The project will be informed by an Aboriginal Advisory Group, that will guide decisions about how best the church can listen to its First Peoples, and their experiences since European arrival.

The RAP will also engage with past experiences with the church for Aboriginal people, and how they can find positive opportunities into the future.

All parishes will be invited to build relationships with their local Aboriginal nations, as well as celebrating Aboriginal understanding of the Spirit of Place in the land we all share.

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Sydney Alliance “Sydney Alliance is a diverse coalition of community organisations, religious organisations, unions and schools that uses the tools of community organising for the common good - to make Sydney a more just, fair and sustainable city.”

Sydney Alliance, 2023

The Justice and Peace Office continued its involvement in the Sydney Alliance.

Staff member Dr Michael Walker was elected co-chair of the Sydney Alliance Council in February and has been actively involved in steering the policy agenda of the Alliance.

There has been a strong focus in 2023 on housing and on a just energy transition. These were put to the Treasurer and Shadow Treasurer at a pre-election Assembly held at Westmead in March.

Both the major parties made commitments on rental reform and on expanding the provision of social and affordable housing.

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Interdiocesan Collaborations The Justice and Peace Office collaborates regularly with our neighbouring dioceses of Parramatta, Broken Bay, Newcastle Maitland, and more recently, Forbes Wilcannia. In 2023, our aim was to combine forces to find new ways to expand pastoral care, and build communities of belonging for those with diverse life challenges.

Clergy mental health and wellbeing was a feature for the Forbes Wilcannia group, in a Zoom Conference on August 22nd, where all joined to explore ways to develop relationships of resilience in isolated communities.

Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) was the focus of the last Tridiocesan Dinner held at the Catholic Institute of Sydney in Strathfield on July 26th 2023. The Bishops' Social Justice Statement 2022-23 on this issue, Respect: Confronting Violence & Abuse, expressed the tragic truth that our society is riddled with men who do not know how to contain their anger and listen respectfully to women and children, turning to violence instead. Survivors and advocates of DFV gave testimony to the need for more community-wide response to this growing tragedy in our society.

We, of Sydney Archdiocese, will continue to work with Parramatta and Broken Bay Dioceses as well as interfaith allies, schools and communities to integrate Respectful Relationships Education, and other community support. This ongoing collaboration aims to involve young people as the voices for change, to address the cross-generational and multicultural stigma, and to challenge the barriers associated with speaking up. We also aim develop and improve spaces that welcome women and children, and other victims/survivors, into safe, supportive and communities of belonging where they can begin healing and regaining their strength and identity.

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Social Justice Gatherings & Parish Engagement The Justice and Peace Office continued to mentor the many social justice groups across the Archdiocese with which we are in contact.

Two Social Justice Gatherings were held during the year, both hosted by parish social justice groups.

In April, St Vincent’s Ashfield hosted a Gathering focused on Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti.

In September, St Brigid’s Coogee hosted a Gathering focused on the Catholic Bishops’ Statement, Listen. Learn. Love.

A new group was established at St Patrick’s Mortlake. Its first project was to run a food drive that collected two vans worth of food for the Ignite Food Store in Emerton, a shop where struggling families can purchase groceries for prices far below retail price.

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A Care of Creation: Laudato Si’ & Laudato Deum During Laudato Si’ week, the Justice and Peace Office published a guide for parishbased groups to implement the principles of Laudato Si’ in their communities.

To mark the occasion, a Mass for Creation was held at St Patrick’s, Mortlake. In keeping with the principle of minimising resource use, the guide is digital only and available at: https://justiceandpeace.org.au/ laudato-si-kit/

In advance of COP28, Pope Francis issued the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum regarding fossil fuel use. The JPO published an explainer in the Catholic Weekly and hosted an online webinar to discuss the message of Laudate Deum while the Conference was underway, with panellists from Catholic Earthcare and the Jesuits’ Being With God in Nature ministry joined by speakers from the Muslim and Buddhist faiths.

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No More Just War In early May, the Justice and Peace Office hosted a panel discussion on the topic, No More Just War? at the Polding Centre. Our panel of speakers comprised of Fr Peter Smith, Senator Deborah O’Neill, Fr Claude Mostowik MSC from Pax Christi Australia and Sr Susan Connelly RSJ. Speakers were invited to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to reconsider the Just War doctrine in the light of changes to the nature of warfare since the early 20th Century that appear to make the medieval Just War tests impossible to satisfy.

The event was also broadcast live on Zoom and remains available as a special edition of our Speaking of Social Justice podcast.

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Toward a Peaceful Pacific As the drums of war started pounding around the world, we decided we must find a way to become active in the construction of peace within our region. So it was such a privilege to support a delegation of Pacific Peace in Sydney.

On Monday 31 July, the Justice and Peace Office was pleased to host, with Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), a visit of two women from the islands of Guahan (Guam) and Ryukyu (Okinawa). Both of these extraordinary women, Monaeka Flores and Shinako Oyakawa, are members of the First Nations communities on these islands and live daily with the impact of colonisation and the appropriation of scarce land for military purposes. This has resulted in devastating environmental consequences. The heavy-footed presence of the US military on Guam has been responsible for the poisoning of the land with PFAS and the loss of all bird life.

The stories of both women have a new resonance in Australia, as the United States military relocates some military assets from Guam to bases around Darwin.

Military bases do not exist in a vacuum and their presence in remote locations may be ‘out of sight, out of mind’ but has a harmful impact on communities and ecosystems.

We call for cooperation not competition to achieve genuine security and an end to the military exercise Talisman Sabre currently underway in Australia where 30T military personnel are rehearsing for war. We commit to growing our knowledge understandings, connections and friendships among the people who share the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Videos from our event can be found at: https://justiceandpeace.org.au/peace-activists-visit-sydney/

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Night of Lamentation On Wednesday 21 June, Martin Place Ampitheatre hosted the annual Homeless Memorial Service, commemorating the lives of homeless men and women who died in the previous twelve months.

This tradition was started by the End Street Sleeping Collaboration in conjunction with the PAYCE Foundation and the Justice and Peace Office with the support of the late Catholic Cemeteries CEO Peter O’Meara as an opportunity for the community to remember and honour lives lost and to grieve for all individuals who have died on the streets or in shelters over the past year. The terrible truth is that many homeless people who pass away receive no other memorial.

This year, organisers additionally called on Sydney Local and State Governments to implement a uniform nation-wide Code Red / Code Blue emergency response protocol for rough sleepers in extreme weather events. If in place, such a protocol would reduce risks of extreme heat or cold on those sleeping rough by connecting them with support services and providing additional services including extended operating hours or additional shelter options.

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Curious Grace & Aged Care Reform

Acknowledging the Bishops’ 2020-21 Social Justice Statement, To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today, the Justice and Peace Office facilitated a series of workshops over the past year; aiming to catalyse mental health and wellbeing action and support in local parishes and their communities.

Redefining Normal, our first of many workshops, began as a conversation on how we, as community members, can lobby together for improved Mental Health Programs, now, has transformed into what is know as Curious Grace.

Curious Grace is a movement of people wanting to reconnect with their neighbours; stimulating more local engagement with issues that envelop our communities.

Whether drug and alcohol related, online gaming and gambling, social and virtual media addictions, or trauma from family violence, the Curious Grace drop-in centre is open people of all ages and backgrounds, respecting and celebrating lived and collective experiences with the key component of sharing and caring.

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Jacqui Pasquale (left), Julie Rankin (middle) & Taya Philp (right) Curious Grace Mildura

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The Justice and Peace Office have also worked over the past year with allies across the Catholic community to explore ways to return to community celebration of elders, while

being more active in visiting

those who can't leave their homes. Combining the Curious Grace model with a welcome invitation for elder participation, our idea is to nurture cross-generational and cross-cultural engagement for elders to maintain Identity and Purpose. This approach will be combined with 'the Teaching Hospital Model,' whereby young and mature people can experience firsthand the rich career opportunities in Aged Care.

Whether it is playing a game of chess, hosting an open-mic night or talking over a cuppa, this movement will be ongoing across the Archdiocese with the Curious Grace drop-in centre project being piloted at St Canice’s in Darlinghurst in early 2024, and will be followed by similar work at All Saints in Liverpool. Likewise, our Aged Care project will being in the Darlinghurst precinct with St Vincent's, St Canice’s and Notre Dame University, with aims to expand to sites across Greater Sydney.

We invite you, your community and local parish to have this conversation to pilot your own drop-in centre. Please visit our toolkit for more information on this opportunity to be an ally of improved Mental Health outreach and support and to help create a space of welcome for all ages and stages for our elders: https://justiceandpeace.org.au/curious-grace-toolkit/

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Street Feast The sixth Sydney Street Feast was held on Friday 17 November in the St Mary’s Cathedral

forecourt,

attended

by

Archbishop Fisher and with the support of many organisations and agencies that support

people

experiencing

and

marginalisation

homelessness including hostel,

Vinnies David’s

Vans, Place,

Matt

Talbot

CatholicCare,

Catholic Healthcare and Thread Together.

Planning for the day was a collaboration with

the

Archdiocesan

events

team,

PAYCE Foundation, and St Merkorious Charity. Over 70 Catholic parishioners volunteered to be involved and a total of 350 meals were served by St Merkorious.

This year, entertainment was provided by Sing Australia as the Sydney Street Choir were away on tour in Canberra.

A video of the day is available on the Justice

and

Peace

Office’s

YouTube

channel @justiceandpeaceoffice jposy9573

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Immigration Detention

On the 28th of November, we finally had the public launch of the campaign to demand a Royal Commission into immigration detention. It feels like it was a long time coming, but on the day in Parliament House, it was clear there is a huge demand for just such a Royal Commission.

Independent MP, Kylea Tink hosted the launch which was attended by about 70 of us from every sector of the refugee arena. It was exciting and gratifying to see Kylea Tink joined by Andrew Wilkie, Zoe Daniel, Zali Steggall and Nick McKim. Of course veteran journalist, Paul Bongiorno did an amazing job as MC. But it was the stories of those who had been subjected to this regime that made everyone sit up and listen.

Behrouz Boochani – author, journalist, film maker and a previously held in Australia’s offshore detention regime for years before finally being accepted to New Zealand where he lives today. Zaki Haidari – Zaki Haidari is a 2020 Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Hero and works at Amnesty International Australia as a Refugee Rights Campaigner. Betelhem Tebubu – Human Rights activist and a survivor of life within the detention regime in Nauru.

Farhad Bandesh – is an artist and musician fled Iran in 2013 and was one of dozens of refugees who were rushed to Australia from Papua New Guina and Nauru for emergency medical treatment under medevac legislation. And finally, Thanush Selvarasa is a human rights activist for people seeking asylum, ASRC human rights intern and refugee detained on Manus Island, PNG, Melbourne Immigration Transit Authority and the Mantra Hotel Melbourne.

Their stories made it abundantly clear that it is time Australians know what is being done in our name and we finally shine a light into this dark and shameful chapter of Australia’s treatment of those who come looking for our protection.

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Internship and Mentoring The Justice and Peace Office Internships and Mentors Program began back in June 2022, with the aim of involving young people in active work for social justice outcomes, giving practical expression to Catholic Social Teaching, and promoting the Common Good. Over a year since its beginning, our program has welcomed many more young people while now extending to mature-age students; each with rich and diverse backgrounds

and

experience,

providing

a

shared

vision

of

intergenerational dialogue and encompassing a passion for social change.

Over the course of this program, our interns are given the opportunity to engage in a living expression of CST by advocating for the dignity of Sydney’s marginalised groups and how best to channel their passions into dynamic social justice projects and movements.

All within the realm of Social Justice, our project areas include , but most definitely are not limited to, Mental Health, Refugees & Asylum Seekers, Aged Care, and Homelessness.

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We have grown so much since our first intake. Now extending our program to passionate students at the Australian Catholic University, Notre Dame, University of Technology Sydney, and students of TAFE Ultimo and Meadowbank, we hope to continue this ongoing collaboration with tertiary institutions to host many more driven advocates for social change.

We have been amazed at and inspired by the skills, dedication to social justice and drive change that many of our interns have and welcome any other interested individuals to contact our Internship Coordinator, Cailey Sharp.

“My experience at the Justice and Peace Office was truly exceptional.

Throughout my internship, I had the privilege of contributing to the development and organization of the “Caring for Creation Guide” for parishes, an integral part of the Justice and Peace Office’s Laudato Si’ Action Tool Kit. Additionally, I played a role in orchestrating the launch event dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and care for creation. This experience has endowed me with a wide array of invaluable skills, encompassing networking, event planning, adeptness in public speaking, research capabilities, analytical proficiency, as well as a profound understanding of legal and policy intricacies. These skills are not only an asset in the immediate context but will undoubtedly serve me well throughout my life. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to complete my internship at the JPO and wholeheartedly endorse it to others seeking a rewarding and enriching experience.”

Emma Stenz, former JPO Intern 2023

More details regarding our program and how to get involved are available here https://justiceandpeace.org.au/internship-andmentoring-program/

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Publications & Communications This year, the Justice and Peace Office’s Spotify podcast Speaking of Social Justice (SOSJ) produced its second season. Hosted by Dr Julie Macken, SOSJ aims to gives insight into economic, social, political, cultural, and spiritual underpinnings of domestic and international affairs.

Each week, guest speakers join Dr Macken and are invited to critically and philosophically discuss the many social justice issues of today through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. Season two has discussed a more than 25 topics including the Struggles & Challenges of the NGO World, Armed Neutrality, as well as Voting for the Common Good. We hope to launch a third season in the New Year and expand into the world of video streaming!

The Justice and Peace Office team aims to get our voices out there in other ways and reach a wider audience through external publications such as Catholic Weekly and Pearl and Irritations.

War is a defeat for all, so we must build peace instead To understand why we need a Voice, listen to the elders’ wisdom The Reconciliation Action Plan is the beginning of our work In business, bigger does not always mean better On darkest night, Sydney remembers homeless who have died Don’t turn a blind eye to domestic violence Giving the next generation a fairer share As a white Australian, I never lacked a Voice Australia wasn’t named as a polluter in Laudate Deum

Time to change the story on war In Australia, reality bites back Australia should push for negotiated solution in South China Sea Side stepping the politics of cruelty Managerialism is crushing the human connection: The Care Economy series

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We couldn't have done it without your generous

support.

We encourage you contact us if you are interested in becoming a part of the JPO family.

To learn more about our projects please visit check out our social platforms down below.

CONTACT US jpoinfo@sydneycatholic.org https://justiceandpeace.org.au/ St Marthas 38 Renwick Street Leichhardt 2040 93078465

Speaking of Social Justice

JusticeAndPeaceOffice

JpoSydCatholic

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ANNUAL REPORT

d n a e c i t s u J e c i f f O e c a e P JPO ANNUAL REPORT 2023