Faith, Justice and Formation
Justice Not Politics
This is an extended version of a speech from last week’s assemblies.
There is always a lot going on in the media and on social platforms, but these days it seems more prevalent. With many comments being made and news stories being reported it is timely to take stock of who we are and the reality we need to help create. We belong to a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition. It is non-negotiable for us to work for justice.
Social justice is not politics and vice versa. Too often justice issues get politicised, causing division and leading to resentment and hate. Instead of hate, we should be working to make the world a better place for all, not just for some, which is being presented in a lot of politics at present. Our job is to seek the truth and always work for the other and for the greater common good.
As people guided by a Gospel Spirituality we espouse the values of compassion, justice, peace, mercy and love. Therefore, if we are authentic in our faith this is what we should show and this is how we should react to issues; with love.
Being a refugee is not illegal. It is something none of us would ever want to go through. Instead of jumping on a bandwagon to ban migration, look at the bigger picture – our need for migration and the love we need to show those most dispossessed and downtrodden in our global community.
Our Inclusive Community is about the world we live in, not just this school. God made us different and we need to celebrate this difference. With much being said about women, the school system and the role of men we need to remind ourselves that we were all created by God and that we need to work together and treat each other with respect, to help create a better world. It should not be the case of one or the other. We are equal and all need to tap into various elements.
While all of these issues fit into the touchstone Justice and Solidarity, we are to be reminded of what this means. It doesn’t mean we just throw money at a problem (though there are times when this is needed, but this is charity, not justice). It means that ‘we are committed to local and global justice and peace… which inspires us to listen to, walk with and learn from all creation, especially those experiencing powerlessness’. (EREA Charter, 2024) Acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived on and cared for this land for 60,000 years before European settlement is not a political statement. It is fact. The land was their land, and it was never ceded. And because of the hardship First nations people have endured due to settlement it is our responsibility to bring about a more equal playing field, not just treat every person with the same conditions. They have lost more, thus they may need more care from us. As a College, we oppose the Strathfield Council decision to cover up the acknowledgement of Wangal Land on signs.
And as our goal is to give you a liberating education, your role is to take this education to help make a better world for ALL. Climate change is real and we need to work to reduce it. It is not a debate of which side of politics is right. It is a common fact supported by the world’s scientists and promoted by all religious and non-religious traditions. You have been educated to know this, thus your role is to do what you can to improve this aspect of the world.
Last week in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo reminded all Catholics that they cannot be passive and indifferent to what is going on around our world. He said, “We cannot remain as unengaged spectators; rather, we must listen with our hearts, allow ourselves to be challenged, and become involved,” We will all one day have to vote, to make a decision at work, to raise our children, to decide how we shop, make decisions about relationships and so on. Surely, we want to do what is right and just, not just get caught up in a whirlwind of rhetoric. Surely, we want to make a better world, not cause our communities to revert to hate and division, leading to violence and war. Surely, we want to live in harmony and peace, rather than fear we may be the next targets. It’s time for us to stand up and be truthful.
This is not about politics. It is about making the right choices and standing on the side of justice. Don’t buy into the hate. Stand up for love. We know that St Paul says ‘Let all that you do be done in love.” You cannot promote this, then online and in your life support actions of hate and hurt.
Pope Leo went on to say last week, “With Christ and sustained by the power of His Spirit, believers are called to take on the burdens of their brothers and sisters, especially those who are crushed by injustice, discrimination and violence,”. He also recalled the words of St. John XXIII’s warning against the “prophets of doom,” who regarded their own times as worse than the past. Pope Leo said Christians are instead called to share in the life of humanity as Christ did. Such closeness to humanity, the pope said, also opens the way to a deeper understanding of events and of Revelation itself.
“This is not, in fact, merely a moral imperative,” he said. It is something we need act on in our own lives.
Our Ideal Graduate calls on our students to be many things, now and into the future, including being authentic and relational and being called to serve. It also calls on all young men of this College to be global citizens who use the opportunities afforded them by…
promoting the sacredness of life as God’s creation
making meaningful contributions to change in a dynamic world
understanding cultural diversity and real-world issues
being open-minded and accepting of individual opinions from diverse backgrounds
showing empathy and respect for the dignity of others
acknowledging his stewardship of the environment
demonstrating a commitment and contribution to Australia by being willing to give of himself for the common good
Talk around women, the Earth, First Nations, refugees, the poor and so on are not political issues. They are issues of justice. Perhaps some of our young people will get into politics to help lead in these spaces, but for most of us we need to do our research to discover who represents what we stand for, and not just get caught up in a world that promotes the individual over the collective. As a world we will never succeed like this.
Love is the only answer.
International Eucharistic Congress 2028
Many of the world’s Catholics along with Pope Leo IVX will converge on Sydney in 2028 for the International Eucharistic Congress. To help prepare the College for this event we have selected two Student Ambassadors from Year 9 who will help guide the community over the next two years. They will be commissioned at a Mass in October and will then take part in various events in the lead up to the gathering.
Congratulations to Gabriel T and Ryan W who will be the St Patrick’s College Student Ambassadors. They are very much looking forward to this responsibility and opportunity.
Gillian Daley
Director of Identity