Monday 15 September 2008

Many parishes in Brisbane’s Archdiocese are keen to increase efforts to address poverty in their own communities according to Peter Arndt, Executive Officer of Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.

 

Mr Arndt said that he is encouraged by the passion of many parishioners who have attended Commission briefings on this year’s Social Justice Sunday Statement which will be launched this Wednesday in Sydney.

 

In A Rich Young Nation: The Challenge of Affluence and Poverty in Australia, (pdf) (Word) Australia’s Bishops challenge Catholics to reach out to the poor and vulnerable in society and work with them for justice.

 

Mr Arndt is finishing a three week tour of parishes in the Archdiocese this week.

 

“I have been overwhelmed by the positive response of so many good people in parishes across the Archdiocese,” Mr Arndt said.

 

“There is much good work already being done in parishes, but many Catholics want to do much more,” he said.

 

“There is a real desire to do as the Bishops have urged and seek out the poor in our midst and help them to overcome their disadvantage,” he said.

 

“There is also a recognition that a significant part of our work to overcome poverty will involve challenging our political leaders to change the way our society and economic system work so that people who are struggling get a fair go,” he said.

 

“Many people are also looking inwards to their own lifestyles in our consumerist society and want to live more simply,” he added.

 

Mr Arndt said that parishes appreciated finding out what resources were available to promote Social Justice Sunday and the Bishops’ Statement.

 

He said that, in addition to the resources produced by the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, the Brisbane Commission had produced a summary of the Statement, a sample newsletter editorial and an overhead transparency for use at Masses on Social Justice Sunday on 28 September.

 

“Many of the parishes I have visited are already asking us how we can help them to find information on poverty in their own community and what Church and community organisations they might work with to do something to address poverty,” he said.

 

For further information, please contact Peter Arndt on (07) 3336 9173 or 0409 265 476.

NB This release is issued with the approval of the Commission or its Executive under the provision of its Charter which enables it to speak in its own right. The views expressed in it do not necessarily represent the views of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.