Every year on Social Justice Sunday, the last Sunday in September, the Australian Bishops issue an important statement on a justice issue for the coming 12 months. The statement to be issued this year on September 28 deals with the role of sports in Australian society. It is entitled, "A Crown for Australia: Striving for the best in our sporting nation".
"Social Justice Week" in New Zealand this year will be held from September 14-20. The theme chosen by the New Zealand Bishops is "Catholic Social Justice Teaching". They focus on the Seven Catholic Social Justice Principles: Human Dignity; Solidarity; Subsidiarity; Stewardship; Common Good; Participation and the Preferential Option for the Poor.
The stories published in our September issue of The Far East are stories of Social Justice. Some are connected with sport. We have the story of the Vatican Cricket Team which is to play the Anglican Church team of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. Sporting matches such as this are a way to build good relations and friendship between people of different races and religions. Fr Robert McCulloch, the Columban Procurator General in Rome, has been instrumental in gaining the support of the Pakistan Government and the participation of an excellent batsman and wicket keeper, Aamir Bhatti, who is a Pakistani seminarian studying for the priesthood in Rome.
On a similar note, Pope Francis has been instrumental in organizing an important Soccer Match in Rome on September 1. This match will involve important international players who will represent different religions. The idea of the match is to build friendship and good relations between people of different religions and races. All proceeds will go to charity.
There are two stories from Fr Peter O'Neill whose work in Taiwan brings him into contact with abused and exploited migrant workers and victims of human trafficking. Fr Peter works tirelessly to bring justice to such victims.
Fr Chris Saenz writes from Chile the story of Ronnie, a chronic alcoholic who through the grace of God, the intercession of St Alberto Hurtado, his doctor and others, was able to turn his life around and recover his human dignity. Mr Paul Kaye writes about his and his wife, Marlyn's experience in the Philippines with "CELL" (Centre for Ecozoic Living and Learning). This Columban-developed Centre educates people to live in a sustainable and self-sufficient way.
At the Columban Mission Centre here in Melbourne we thought it was important to recognize the presence in a formal manner of the existence of the Wurundjeri, who were the Aboriginal people in the greater Melbourne area for tens of thousands of years before European colonization.
A liturgy was therefore organized at the beginning of August with invited guests to unveil a plaque acknowledging the Wurundjeri as the traditional owners of this land and giving thanks to God for their wisdom and stewardship of the land. Sherry Balcombe, the Secretary of the Victorian Aboriginal Catholic Council, began the liturgy with an Acknowledgement of Country.
September is a time for all of us to grow in our awareness of Catholic Social Justice Teaching and Principles and to seek ways to take action in this area.
Fr Dan Harding
TFE@columban.org.au