Ministry Social Justice Teaching Key Themes Links Justice~Peace~Ecology

Social Justice Ministry in the Diocese of Bathurst

Who is involved? Fr Paul Devitt and numerous members of social justice groups and individuals throughout the Diocese. Social Justice groups tend to come and go depending on issues facing particular communities and/or the energy and drive of particular individuals. What they do Social justice groups raise awareness of certain issues that they believe cause injustice in society. Where they can, they gather support for actions that keep the injustice issues before the public and try to work out how to go about changing the unjust situation or policy so that a more just situation results. Groups work more on the structural and systemic questions of justice rather than focusing on immediate needs, service provisoiion or welfare matters. Welfare and justice work closely together but ask different questions and engage issues at different levels. Fr Paul Devitt Fr Paul Devitt is the Parish Priest at St. Brigid's Parish in Dubbo. He is the Diocesan Contact for the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. Fr Paul was a member of the ACSJC for nine years and had significant input into all annual social justice statements published by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and other publications of the ACSJC - justice trends, issues papers, social justice series, submissions to government, background papers. He still acts as a reference person for the ACSJC on their published information in the area of Catholic Social Teaching. Fr Paul is Chair of the Diocese's Justice-Peace-Ecology Commission. Some of the things Fr Paul does in his Social Justice role include.. Research issues and monitor trends in public policy and current affairs in Australia and overseas; Determine if there are issues that are not being addressed by social justice groups or other government or non-government agencies and if so work out ways to get them addressed Present Catholic Social Teaching and the Social Justice Tradition of the Church to: Social Justice groups Parish adult education gatherings – Catholic and other Workshops and seminars to specific groups, religious orders, etc Members of the ACSJC Diocesan social justice groups throughout Eastern Australia - eg, Hobart, Toowoomba, Sydney, Broken Bay , Charles Sturt University Catholic Studies students at Dubbo and Bathurst Spirituality In the Pub at various places High school students – Catholic and State Conferences ‘Justice Matters’ bi-monthly in the Observer since 1997 Apply Catholic Social Teaching to current social justice, human rights, development, ecological and peace issues in Australia and overseas; Speak out against injustice, the abuse of human rights, poverty and violence and in favour of change for a more just society and therefore ensure a more credible national Catholic voice on these issues; advise people on what to say on local issues use the media to speak out on local issues review articles, letters of various people on social justice issues Promote a spirituality of justice and the integration of concern for social justice into the liturgy, worship and general life of the whole church; Retreats to school staffs, parish groups, social justice groups, pastoral associates, Shalom Homilies and homily materials for priests Bulletin inserts for parish and school bulletins Build social justice networks within the Catholic Church, encouraging local action, coordinating action at the national level, and maintaining contact with relevant international Catholic agencies; encourage and support local justice groups in our Diocese, in Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, and in other denominational groups act as resource person for justice groups. Two filing cabinets of information on social justice issues. Will go to any group or parish or school if invited. The groups have to be self starting and sufficient. I am happy to resource them. Diocesan groups: Wellington , Mudgee, Bathurst , Lithgow, Mercy & Justice Centre, Portland/Wallerawang, Coonamble Signs of new groups emerging: Orange , Dubbo Collaborate with national and international agencies with objectives similar or complementary to those of the ACSJC Collaborate and support the work of other groups – eg, Amnesty, groups supporting refugees/asylum seekers, non-government organizations, etc Witness to and promote unity among Christians through ecumenical action in favour of justice and peace; promote ecumenical justice groups – as something we can do across denominational boundaries Educate the Catholic and wider community on social justice, human rights, development, ecological and peace issues in Australia and overseas by providing guided experience and educational materials; Pass on educational materials produced by the ACSJC, Caritas, other national and international justice agencies Secure and or support guest speakers into the Diocese or particular parishes Advise the Bishops on statements and actions for justice and peace and assisting them as required. Fr Paul can be contacted at St. Brigid’s Parish in Dubbo Ph: (02) 6882 4233 - Fax: (02) 6884 0369 ior email -  stbrigidsdubbo@bigpond.com.au