Peace and Social Justice Commission Annual report 2021 – 2022
The Commission met four times during the year. Our commission has members from the UCA, Salvation Army, Pax Christi, Antiochian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and Quakers. Between us, we are well connected to the social justice and peace issues that are current in NSW, Australia and globally. Each of us is also busy in our own organisation as well as working in partnership with other organisations to address matters of social justice and peace, of which there is no shortage. Often, not all members can attend the meetings.
The exchange of information is rich and often connects us further with the work each of us is involved with. Local and global concerns become connected such as the world focus on the war in Ukraine lessening the advocacy for Myanmar, the Tigray region of Ethiopia and other wars around the world.
Specific matters addressed in this reporting period were:
- support for the enactment of the Anti-Slavery Bill by the NSW Parliament that had been accepted some years earlier. We met with the project manager of the Forced Marriage project that is part of the anti-slavery campaign. The purpose was to build relationships with churches and church agencies to raise awareness of such practices that are often complex due to religious, cultural. poverty, traditional family relationships, refugee and migration dynamics.
- Jamie Isbister, Australia’s Ambassador for climate change and spokesperson at COP26 addressed the meeting, as he did the previous month addressing the Heads of Churches meeting. Jamie emphasized the role churches can have in bridging the often intentional but artificial divide that has been created in climate change ambitions between city and regional communities.
- Voice from the Heart and Voice to Parliament statements made by our organisations.
- The annual Palm Sunday rally supporting asylum seekers and refugees but also drawing attention to the Aukus agreement that increases preparations for war and thus more likely to cause large numbers of refugees fleeing as well as more death and destruction of people, the environment and infrastructure.
- An increased focus on the Pacific Islands such as the impact of increased sea water rises on their countries and becoming involved in global political contests. Churches often have Pacific Islander congregations and religious orders have strong connection to the Pacific. These connections are conduits to increase the voice of Pacific Islanders for their countries in Australia.
Fr Claude Mostowik and Wies Schuiringa
Co-convenors Peace and Justice Commission
17 September 2022
Recent News
Heads of Church
Recent Gathering of the NSW Heads of Churches The NSW Ecumenical Council Heads of Church meeting met at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Australia in Surrey Hill. The theme focused on “Post COVID: Future Visions [...]
General Secretary Report AGM 2022
Gospel Luke 4:14-30 (Coptic Lectionary – Coptic New year 11 September 2022) Reflection Jesus returned from the desert in the power of the Spirit teaching the people and in Synagogues the message of salvation. [...]
Council Prays for Ukraine
The NSW Ecumenical Council made of 18 member churches in the State of New South Wales and Canberra were deeply saddened and concerned over the conflict your people are having in your homeland [...]
Announcement of Executive Director, Charles Sturt University
Announcement of new Executive Director Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University The Chair of the Board of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, the Rt Rev’d Dr Sarah Macneil, and the [...]