Peter Arndt, Executive Officer of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission and Mission Development Worker in the Archdiocese of Brisbane has received a 2006 Mercy Foundation Award. .Peter’s award and citation were presented by Sr Helen Kearins rsm, Executive Officer of the Mercy Foundation at Justice Place in Woolloongabba on December 6

Each year the Mercy Foundation recognises an individual, group or organisation with a clearly notable record of work for change in social and cultural structures that impoverish and disempower people. The Social Justice Award was established by the Mercy Foundation in 1996 to mark the United Nations International Year for the Eradication of Poverty.

The citation for Peter’s award reads:

Peter Arndt’s contribution to social justice has been significant in a number of areas and include, asylum seekers, the environment and local social justice issues over a long period of time.

It is in relation to Indigenous Australians that the Mercy Foundation’s attention was drawn to Peter’s work.

Peter has worked tirelessly to bring an Indigenous perspective to the work of the Justice and Peace Commission, forming a Murri Advisory Group to inform and educate commissioners and bring Indigenous issues and campaigns to the wider church and the public arena.

In solidarity with the Murri Community, issues such as “Stolen Wages” and Campaigns such as “Make Indigenous Poverty History” have been launched and monitered by Peter. He has also contributed his support and expertise to Palm Island support, “Sorry Day” and Reconciliation Week events, NAIDOC Week and the Murri Ministry’s Message Stick project.

Peter has worked tirelessly to include and empower Murris within the Catholic Church and has thus created a model for all justice and peace groups and Australians committed to reconciliation to follow.

Underpinning Peter’s work with the Murri Community. is his deep respect for Indigenous People and his commitment to working in solidarity with them.

A vibrant sign of the Murri People’s appreciation of Peter’s being and working with them is their deep respect for him and the warmth of the mutual relationship between them.