The work of Social Justice in the Diocese is the concern of every person. It is based on Catholic Social Teaching (CST) which is the part of Catholic Teaching that addresses matters of social, economic and ecological justice in the world. It is mainly concerned with inter-group or social relationships rather than interpersonal relationships. Like other parts of Church teaching, it is grounded in Scripture, Tradition, reason and experience. It develops through time by placing these sources in dialogue with the signs of the times. Catholic Social Teaching operated at both the international and the local level and has three elements: principles for reflection, criteria for judgement and guidelines for action Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace.
From the Caritas website, the main principles of Catholic Social Teaching are:
Human Dignity, Preferential Option for the Poor, Care for our common Home, Subsidiarity and Participation, The Common Good and Solidarity.
There are many ways to get involved in the work of the Catholic Church in the areas of charity, solidarity, advocacy, action for justice and reflection on actions for justice.
The Catholic Bishops publish an annual Social Justice Statement for people to engage with issues in our community. We have a Diocesan Social Justice Group - contact the group for further details: [email protected].
Caritas Australia is the Catholic Church's international aid and development agency, Caritas Australia works hand in hand with the most marginalised communities in Australia and overseas, to confront the challenges of poverty. Project Compassion in Lent is a work of Caritas.
Catholic Earthcare Australia Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si considers the science on the most pressing issues facing the world today - climate change, global warming, loss of biodiversity and the issue of pollution. Pope Francis highlights the difficulty these challenges pose for the poor and vulnerable. Explore the Laudato Si platform.
CatholicCare Central Queensland – providing a wide range of social & clinical services to the Central Queensland region since 1974.
Catholic Mission is the Pope’s international mission agency sharing in God’s mission to reach out, give life by sharing our personal and financial resources to: - proclaim the Gospel, - serve people in need, - act for peace, justice and creation; In partnership with local churches, so that all may have life in Christ.
St Vincent de Paul Society, also known as Vinnies, is an international organisation formed of lay Catholics who seek personal and spiritual growth through serving those in need.