Chapters written by representatives of seven Australian Churches show that Christian approaches to social justice are startlingly distinctive, in their starting points as well as in their positions on urgent matters of human rights, sexual ethics, and economic justice. Social justice is not just a matter of applying well-known ‘first principles’ shared by all Christian traditions, but is coloured by history, culture, and context.
Launched on 5 November 2014 at the Centre for Theology & Ministry in Melbourne by Professor Peter Sherlock, Vice-chancellor of the University of Divinity, Social Justice and the Churches gathers the papers delivered at a conference on 8-9 November 2013 at Newman College, Parkville, convened by the Yarra Institute for Religion & Social Policy.

The prominent Jesuit human rights advocate, Professor Frank Brennan, opened the conference with his keynote address, and the following day in response to Fr Brennan, seven speakers spoke of their own traditions of social justice.
The book includes contributions by Major Jenny Begent (Salvation Army), Fr Max Vodola (Roman Catholic), Revd Gerard Rose (Churches of Christ), Revd Geoff Pound (Baptist), Revd Raymond Cleary (Anglican), Dr Mark Zirnsak (Uniting Church), and Fr Shenouda Boutros (Coptic Orthodox Church). Margaret Coffey from ABC Radio National also offered her reflections in response to the presentations

Order copies of Social Justice and the Churches.
Read Professor Peter Sherlock’s launch address.
Read Dr John D’Arcy May’s response.