Have questions about the Social Justice Statement 2023-2024?  Chances are the Bishops have anticipated your questions and have provided a list of questions and short answers. 

Since the 1940s, the Australian bishops have issued an annual Social Justice Statement, drawing on the wisdom of the Church’s social teaching on matters of critical importance to our nation. In recent years, the Statement has addressed domestic and family violence, mental health, the environment, and homelessness. The 2006 statement was the most recent to address issues facing First Peoples.

Why did they choose this topic?
Each May, the bishops choose the topic for the Social Justice Statement that will be issued in August the following year. In May 2022, the bishops recognised the need for a statement on the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in contemporary Australian society. That choice was made before the last federal election and before the Voice referendum was announced, but it is being released in that context. The topic is important, regardless of its timing.

Are the bishops backing the Voice to Parliament? Or opposing it?
The bishops are calling on all Australians to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart, where First Nations Peoples have expressed their wishes for constitutional recognition through a Voice. As with elections, the bishops won’t be encouraging Catholics and others to vote Yes or to vote No, but to be informed – by their own conscience, but also by the richness of Catholic social teaching. This includes supporting the dignity of every human person and seeking the common good, so every person may have the opportunity to flourish.

Why issue something about the Voice if you’re not taking a position on it?
The origins of the statement are unrelated to the Voice referendum, but now land in this context because the Church marks Social Justice Sunday in late August. Regardless of the referendum, the bishops felt compelled to speak about the place of First Nations Peoples in our nation, acknowledging the great challenges they face, and to propose ways in which the unacceptable gaps in measures like health, education and employment can be addressed. Listening to First Nations Peoples is critical to pursuing and achieving the common good.

The Church has a poor history in terms of Indigenous Australians. Why should we listen to you?
In our past, the Church and its leaders have participated in practices that did not uphold our values, particularly around the dignity of each person. We have apologised for that before and I apologise again for that. We cannot, however, be part of the solution by sitting on the sidelines. Despite some shameful behaviour in our history, we have been a force for good in the lives of so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This statement is part of expressing our ongoing commitment in this critical area.

What has the Church done to support First Nations Peoples?
As one of the nation’s largest providers of education, health and aged-care services, and social welfare, the Catholic Church has walked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to support their flourishing. Our Church has had many vocal advocates for our First Nations brothers and sisters at various points in our history, and we continue to stand with them in seeking the best for them.
Pope John Paul II famously said at Alice Springs in 1986: “The Church in Australia will not be fully the church that Jesus wants her to be until you, the Aboriginal people, have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.” Almost 40 years later, we are still striving to achieve that goal.