Bishops' 'new engagement' with the First Nations people now more important than ever

The Society welcomes the 2023–2024 Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and The Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace.

In preparation for Social Justice Sunday (27 August) this statement outlines the importance of listening and the urgent need to support Australia’s First Nations people through a ‘new engagement.’

The Society supports the sentiments of Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and it has a longstanding history of advocating for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

For Social Justice Sunday, the Society stands in solidarity with Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. We recognise that we cannot start the journey of healing and justice until we listen and empower the voices of Australia’s First Nations people.

‘We urgently need better economic and social justice outcomes for Australia’s First Nations peoples. We have advocated strongly on these issues over many years,’ said National President Mark Gaetani.

‘With the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament, the themes chosen by the Catholic Bishops for Social Justice Sunday are more important than ever,’ said National President Mark Gaetani.

The chosen themes of listening, reconciliation and justice are all consistent with the core goals of Catholic social teaching.

‘As Bishop Long states, our engagement with our First Nations brothers and sisters needs to be grounded in justice, love, and humility. As a country we must do better and not leave vulnerable Australians behind,’ said National President Mark Gaetani.

The Society always aims to be a positive conduit of reconciliation and social justice and stands in respectful solidarity with Australia’s First Nations people.

Read the Media Release and access the 2023–2024 Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples here.

Read the Society’s advocacy position on Australia’s First Nations people and our position supporting The Voice.