The Catholic Bishops of Australia have issued a statement for the July Federal election.  The statement reaches beyond economic policy to ‘people discarded in this throwaway culture’, who include:

◾Refugees and asylum seekers

◾Indigenous people

◾The survivors of sexual abuse.

The statement notes that ‘to listen to God and to the voiceless is in the end the same thing.’  It calls on all Christians to listen to those on the margins, and to pray, ‘that we might be able to speak with a voice that is not just our own.’ 

The Archbishops office for Evangelisation is presenting an interview with Nathan Schneider by Frank Brennan sj. This event is both a relevant topic in this Jubilee and a timely follow-up to participants of our recent conference.

Where: The Oratory, Newman College (887 Swanston Street, Parkville) 

A small group of mission leaders from among our member organisations gathered last Thursday 28 April to listen and share with Fr Frank O’Loughlin around the topic of the Catholic Eucharist in our workplaces.    

Strong revenue has enabled sound spending programs, and welcome initiatives;  but the budget does not yet reflect a central focus on the fundamental needs of those on the margins of our society.