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Social Justice Statements

In a tradition reaching back to 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops release major social justice statements each year in time for Social Justice Sunday. Through this tradition they contribute to the development of local Catholic Social Teaching. The statements encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on social, economic and ecological issues. They remind us of the social dimension of the mission of the Church.

Previously Social Justice Sunday was celebrated on the last Sunday in September. From 2020, Social Justice Sunday will be celebrated in Australia on the last Sunday in August.

Recent Social Justice Statements

Social Justice Statement 2023-24

In This years Social Justice Statement, Australia’s Bishops invite us to renew our engagement with t…

Three images of women at a protest are pieced together, each with a green, purple or grey overlay. The text "Social Justice Statement 2022-23, Respecti, Confronting Violence and abuse" is in white at the top of the image. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is written in small white writing at the centre of the image at the bottom with the corresponding logo.
Social Justice Statement 2022-23

Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse points out that the roots of domestic and family violence “l…

Social Justice Statement 2021-22

The Bishop's Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, affirms that "we h…

social justice statement cover
Social Justice Statement 2020-21

The Bishops invite us all to reject stigmatisation, to work for the transformation of social determi…

Social Justice Statement 2019-20

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2019 – 2020, Making it Real: Genuine h…

Social Justice Statement 2018-19

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2018–19 is titled A Place to Call Home…

Social Justice Statement 2017-18

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2017–18 is titled ‘Everyone’s Business…

Social Justice Statement 2016-17

The number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double by the middle of the century. This …

Social Justice Statements 1988 – 2013

The full text of the Social Justice Statements for this period are conveniently collected in one fully indexed volume titled Building Bridges.

Download Statements for 2000 to 2013

2013-14

Lazarus at Our Gate: A critical moment in the fight against world poverty

2012-13

The Gift of Family in Difficult Times: The social and economic challenges facing families today

2011-12

Building Bridges, Not Walls: Prisons and the justice system

2010

Violence in Australia: A message of peace

2009

And you will be my witnesses: Young people and justice

2008

A Rich Young Nation: The challenge of affluence and poverty in Australia

2007

Who is my Neighbour?: Australia as a Global Citizen

2006

The Heart of our Country: Dignity and justice for our Indigenous sisters and brothers

2005

Jesus, light for the world: Living the Gospel today

2004

Peace be with you: Cultivating a culture of peace

2003

A generous heart in the love of Christ: Challenging racism in Australia today

2002

A New Earth: The environmental challenge

2001

A just and peaceful land: Rural and regional Australia in 2001

2000

Woman and Man: The Bishops Respond