Deputy Principal

As we start Term 2, we are experiencing a fractured world. A world where geopolitics shift constantly.  At times like these, it is important that we remember the innocent civilians around the world, who through no fault of their own have been caught up in these wars. It is hard to articulate the reasons why some of these wars exist, as global leaders change their rhetoric with the stroke of their keypad, with no concept of the effect of it on ordinary civilians both in the conflict zone and more broadly around the world.

As a Catholic school, we follow our moral compass and the Gospel in daily life.  Pope Leo over the last two weeks, has been clear in his condemnation of war and has shown moral courage by calling out aggressors and continuing to advocate for peace. He said, ‘the masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild.’ This comment is worth reflecting on. As we sit here in Australia and rightly have anxiety over how we are going to pay our bills as petrol prices, mortgages, and the general cost of living all rise. At some point for us, things will return to the status quo. Our petrol prices will fall, the economy will recover and interest rates will fall at some stage. When we go back to our normal lives, we must continue to advocate for those on the margins. Those who have lived through the war in their own country, those refugees who have been displaced. Those innocent civilians who have had their homes blown up, their businesses ruined and had their loved ones taken away from them. Like Pope Leo, we must have the moral courage to stand up for what we believe in and to open our hearts and minds to all of those who have suffered firsthand through no fault of their own.

Adrian Byrne

Deputy Principal