Download a .pdf of this newsletter.

Peter Whiting, SPC Chair

Before the recent federal election, Bill Frilay, in his article Whither overseas aid?, observed that “current and future aid budgets have been predictable casualties both of Federal budgetary problems and of the asylum-seeker issue”. The foreign aid policy of the new Coalition government has placed his observation in particularly sharp focus. Dr Kath Engebretson reminded us of the radical call of the Gospels: “… volunteerism out of a sense of community solidarity, fundraising for social causes, and good neighbourliness are all excellent, but they are far short of the radical work for justice to which Christians are called”. Read this editorial in full.

Anti-Poverty Week

Experts and practitioners discuss human rights, inequality, and poverty, bringing their practical experience from the human rights field. Up-to-date analysis of Australia’s progress with its human rights obligations. Workshops and panels.
Keynote speakers
Jacqueline Philips Director Policy & Campaigns ACOSS
Les Malezer Co-Chair National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
Prof David Hayward Dean RMIT University Global Urban & Social Studies
Fitzroy Town Hall 201 Napier Street Fitzroy Melway 2CB9
Registration 8am for 9:15am-5pm. $50 full fee, $10 concession.
Register rsvp@svdp-vic.org.au | 03 9895 5935 | http://tinyurl.com/kwvn4gq.
Sponsored by St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, PILCH, Catholic Social Services Victoria, Women’s Housing Ltd. Uniting Care Community Options, Social Policy Connections, HomeGround Services, ACOSS, City of Yarra.
For the flyer for this event, click HERE.

Social Justice Sunday, just celebrated in Australia, was an opportunity for the churches to remind all Australians to promote social justice vigorously. Speaking recently to the Vatican Diplomatic Corps,
Pope Francis emphasised the need for solidarity with the poor: “…the dialogue between us should help build bridges connecting all people, in such a way that everyone can see in the other not an enemy, not a rival, but a brother or sister to be welcomed and embraced!”. The dialogue required is not philosophical, but practical. Bridge-building is about establishing mutual understanding, about recognising and respecting the just aspirations of the other, and helping fulfill them. Read this article in full.

SPC forum 14 November 7:30pm

Yarra Theological Union Study Centre
34 Bedford Street Box Hill
Light refreshments offered afterwards
Brian Costar is Professor of Victorian Parliamentary Democracy, and the Director of the Democratic Audit of Australia. A frequent media commentator on state and federal politics, he has written widely on contemporary political issues.

History & memories of Cardijn
movements in Australia

Speakers include David Kehoe, Fr Bruce Duncan, Dr Race Matthews, Fr Max Vodola, Prof Helen Praetz, Kevin Peoples, Stefan Gigacz
For information. Register.
Local participants, please bring a plate for lunch

Francis: revitalising Vatican II

What is it about Pope Francis that he has captivated the attention not just of believers, but of many others? In his article, Bruce Duncan considers the Pope’s strenuous promotion of concern for social justice, and his surprising gift of communication, especially through informal interviews and symbolic gestures. Francis has repeatedly called for new processes of consultation and participation in church structures, from the papacy itself to the parishes. He advocates a horizontal structure, and especially wants an end to clericalism. We are left wondering what all this will mean for the Church.
In a later article, Bruce Duncan will consider Pope Francis’s assertive critique of liberal capitalism.

Christian Social thinking for Australia:
making a difference?

Friday 8 November 7:30pm

Keynote speaker Prof Frank Brennan SJ

Key challenges & responsibilities of the churches in the current social & cultural context

Saturday 9 November 9:30am-4:30pm

The role of social concern in Christian traditions

Speakers from Christian traditions within MCD University of Divinity will respond to Prof Frank Brennan, indicating how their social traditions bear on these issues.

Newman Oratory, Newman College
887 Swanston Street, Parkville, Melbourne
$10 for each event
RSVP Wednesday 6 November
admin@yarrainstitute.org.au  |  03 9899 4777
Download the flyer for this event.
Refreshments included, but please BYO lunch on Saturday.