Welcome to the website for the Social Justice Commission for the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba.  

Our Commission was established in 2002 as a key direction in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan – “embracing action for Social Justice”.  Five aspects to our work are:  spirituality, education, leadership, solidarity and research.  In partnership with those affected by injustice the Commission works to analyse issues and reflectively advocate for action.  The Commission is grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.  Our current priorities are:  justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, caring for the environment and support and advocacy for refugees.   We work to promote human rights and our actions are informed by the dignity of the human person.

2012 is the National Year of Reading.  The Indigenous Reading Project is an exciting new initiative to improve the reading achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students.   You can make a small donation or become a supporter which can make a huge difference to young lives.  To find out more click here 

In 2011 our Commission facilitated a community consultation on the question of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Australian Constitution.  The Expert Panel has released its final report with recommendations.  The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has welcomed this opportunity for justice.  To read the final report, recommendations and NATSICC"s response click here

You will also find an invitation for schools to get involved in remembering the National Apology to the Stolen Generations on our Reconciliation page

As we begin 2012 it is good to reflect on the year past.  You will find a brief "rear view" of 2011 in our newsletter "A Place at the Table" here  The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council Seasons of Social Justice Diary is now available click on the image above to get contact details.

Part of the story of 2011 was the early retirement of Bishop Morris.  You can hear an interview with retired Qld Supreme Court Judge Bill Carter here  Scroll down to Wednesday 18th January at 8.05 am.  You can access two opinions on the treatment of Bishop Morris by clicking on the two links

Ian Waters Canon Law Opinion

Bill Carter QC Natural Justice Opinion

Mark Copland’s regular article reflects on a link with the 2011 floods in our Diocese and flooding which occurred in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.  You can read the article here 

You can access some of the photos from the Reconciliation Action Plan launch here  The ABC website has a new resource which is relevant to much of the Toowoomba Diocese.  This innovative research tool on Coal Seam Gas can be accessed by clicking here

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Immigration to move asylum seekers arriving by boat into the community on bridging visas while their claims are assessed.   You can read the full media release here  On our refugees page there is also an update from A Just Australia with suggestions for action.

Below you can access the Rerum Novarum speech by Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen.  Bishop Nguyen, a former boat person addresses the topic: 'Asylum Seekers - Is There a Just Solution?'  You can also access the response by former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser in the YOUTUBE clip below   

And on a lighter note as a regular website visitor you will now have access to a new blog titled “Every Other Tuesday”.  For close to five years Mark Copland has made regular contributions to the Toowoomba Chronicle.  These columns have dealt with fairness, compassion and issues of poverty and injustice.   Taking on the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu that any social movement will die without a sense of humour Mark has decided to devote an irregular  blog to other things that matter like music and food and sport.  A lifestyle section of our website if you will.  All articles will be highly subjective and very poorly researched.  This week’s blog begins with Shane Warne and other great cricketing come-backs.  You can access the blog here

A crowd of about eighty community members gathered as part of the launch of the Reconciliatrion Action Plan at St Patrick's Cathedral Parish Centre on 11th November 2011

	Executive Officer Mark Copland with Dick Neal and Siobhan and Tessa from St Ursula's Eco-Justice Group

Dick Neal and St Ursula’s Eco-Justice Group receive Annual Social Justice Awards

The Social Justice Commission for the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba is pleased to announce that the winners of the 2011 Social Justice Awards are Mr Dick Neal and the St Ursula’s College Eco-Justice Group.  Each year this Commission recognises outstanding work in the area of social justice.  In past years recipients have been involved in campaigning for affordable housing, education, youth, refugees, the environment and the legal rights of those with a disability. 

Over the past few years Dick Neal has co-ordinated support for a local Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Domestic Violence Shelter.  While Dick is quick to give credit to a team – he has been a driving force in making a place where some of our communities most vulnerable seek shelter.  He has developed a garden at the shelter along with linking schools and community with Aboriginal women needing support.  “Dick describes his involvement as an accident,” stated Executive Officer Dr Mark Copland.  “Many of us don’t take the opportunity to be involved in challenging areas and we affirm the work Mr Neal has done.”    There have been two very powerful outcomes of Dick’s work.  One has been the building of a relationship between St Thomas More’s parish and local Aboriginal community members.  The other is raising awareness in his parish community of the issue of domestic and family violence.  On the 11^th November 2011 the  Diocese launched a Reconciliation Action Plan. Respect and Relationship are  a key part of this plan and Dick has embodied these two aspects in his work over the past few years.

A second award this year goes to St Ursula’s College Eco-Justice group.  Along with many local groups and national and international leaders including Pope Benedict the Eco-Justice group has been involved in highlighting the need to take action of Climate Change.  They have then modelled this call to action in their own college community.  The Eco-Justice group has worked with members of the College leadership team to conduct an energy audit of the school.  They have then started on a campaign encouraging fellow students and staff to decrease their use of energy at St Ursula’s College.  They are worthy winners of our first school social justice award.

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	MR_-_Feast_of_St_Joseph_the_Worker_May_2011.doc

To help make every Australian count click here

Clontarf Academy Footballers play Nightcliff Footy Club on Melville Island in the Northern Territory

Before the pre-season starts proper and young men disgrace themselves in all manner of ways – following on from the work done on Mad Monday in 2010 I would like to make the case that football  really can make the world a better place.  To read more of Mark Copland's reflections click here

African Australian Community Members helping with flood clean up on Darling Downs

It’s Friday night and a Toowoomba family caught on holidays due to the flooding wind their way back to Toowoomba via Cunningham’s Gap.   They refill their car at Boonah where talks move to  the floods with the young girl at the counter of the service station.   She is nineteen and has not spoken with her father who lives in Brisbane for over a year.   Like many of us she is transfixed by the floods and sees vision of her father’s house going under the muddy waters on television.  She picks up the phone and makes the call.  He starts to cry.  “I am so happy to hear from you.  I have nothing.  All my photos of you as a little girl and young woman have been lost.  I need to see you.”  He lost everything – but regained a daughter.  And there will be thousands of similarly remarkable stories across our state.  To read more click here

When you enter the stately building of Toowoomba South State School it is tempting to be transported back to a bygone era.   Indeed the school has links back to 1860 when a site was first reserved for a national school in Toowoomba.  In the 1960s the Toowoomba South Girls Schools and Toowoomba South Boys School boasted a combined enrolment of 1000 students.   But what goes on behind the school gate at Toowoomba South has far more to do with the future than the past.  It represents the changing face of our community and is I believe some of the best educational work happening right in the heart of our city.  To read more click here

Sunday 26th September is Social Justice Sunday.  This year's statement, Violence in Australia - A Message of Peace deals with the issue of violence in our society.  If you click on the links below you can download the statement, liturgy notes and teaching notes based on the Australian Bishop's statement.  The ecumenical social justice statement is also available if you click here

Respected human rights and social justice advocate Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO officially launched 'Justice Place' the new home for the Social Justice Commission on the evening of the 8th September 2010.   Members of the Bishop's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reference group, parish social justice groups and past and present Commission members gathered to celebrate the Commission's new home.  Bishop William Morris blessed the space and encouraged all gathered to continue the work of social justice in the Diocese.  Fr Brennan spoke of his own journey of social justice which started as a schoolboy at Downlands College.  He encouraged the Commission to ensure that the new space would be a place of welcome where people with different perspectives and views could gather to seek solutions.  The Commission office is now located at the Cathedral Centre (123 Neil St, Toowoomba - on the corner of Lawrence and Neil Sts)  To read Fr Brennan's Concannon Oration click on the link below. 

Concannon_Oration.pdf

Something that barely rated a mention in our never-ending Federal election campaign was the situation of Indigenous Australians.  Last week the United Nations released a damning report on the issue of  human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.  The report spoke about the disastrous rate of imprisonment of Indigenous Australians and aspects of the Northern Territory Intervention.   I know I know, many people would hardly raise a yawn when told that a UN body was criticizing Australia on human rights.  “Why doesn’t this wishy-washy body concentrate on ‘real human rights abuses’ in Africa and the Middle East?”   Or so the argument goes.  To read more click here

 “How does your personal lifestyle represent a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint?”  This was one of the more interesting questions posed at a recent candidate’s forum for the seat of Groom.  Most candidates answered admirably.   They spoke of bike riding, insulating, composting and using energy efficient hot water systems. 

They say prophets are rarely recognised in their own towns and when it comes to people making efforts to reduce their carbon footprints   there are a few prophets living in our midst.  I think of Rama Naidu.  This humble man has a passion to reduce the use of cars in our community.  For as long as I have known Rama he has knocked on doors, written letters, taken up petitions, organised world car free days, advocated for better public transport and generally asked all of us to move away from four wheels.  (To read more click here)

As Ajak and his friends approached the security he was refused entry.  His three friends were given entry.  With great courage and clarity of mind AJ politely asked why he was being refused entry.  One of the security guards, stated, “I’m not allowed to let you in.”  Another security guard supported this by saying, “We’re not allowed to let Sudanese in”.  There it is – no misunderstanding, no miscommunication – a clear message – “You’re not welcome here and it’s because of who you are and where you come from.”   To read more click here

Just_Comment_Debunking_the_Myths_about_Asylum_Seekers.pdf

96th_WorldDayMigrantsRefugees.pdf

Local Aboriginal artist Robert Wharton has been working hard on his upcoming album.  Click here to have a sneak preview of some music that speaks of beauty, shared pain, history and love.

Toowoomba_Catholic_Diocese_Statement_of_Commitment_RAP.pdf

On Monday morning Mark Copland spoke with ABC Radio Southern Queensland's Belinda Sanders about the issue of asylum seekers.  To hear the interview click here

Vinnies_on_Asylum_Seekers.pdf

“The foundation of all the great religions were built upon us being custodians and caring for the earth. Australia and other developed countries need to address their historical responsibility for climate change by committing to strong pollution reduction targets and significant financing to assist poorer countries sustainable development and preparation for the unavoidable impacts of climate change.”

ARRCC_Press_Release.pdf

Art Inside

In recent times a great initiative has sprung up through the Toowoomba Community Justice Group and the Darling Downs Correctional Centre. Local Aboriginal artists work with Aboriginal inmates to produce art while they are serving their sentence. This has greatly helped the inmates integrate into the wider community upon release and also improved self esteem. We all know about the disproportionate number of Indigenous prisoners in Queensland. As part of this project you can help by supplying much needed art materials. If you are interested and able to supply canvases and acrylic paint please get in touch with the Commission on the contact page of this website

Social Justice Sunday Statement

In this year’s annual statement, “And you will be my witnesses: young people and justice” the Bishops of Australia have pledged their support for young people's commitment to social justice, reasserting last year's World Youth Day central theme of witnessing through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Statement points out, young people are among the strongest fighters in the cause of justice, but at the same time, they can be among the most vulnerable to injustice. Free statements are available from your parish or from St Paul’s Bookstore, Ruthven St, Toowoomba.  To download the statement click here

Write to Asylum Seekers on Christmas Island. There are over 2000 people being held in Immigration Detention on Christmas Island. A very real way of providing support for people in this situation is writing a letter. If you wish to do this get in touch with our Commission office

As you take your next step remember the first people who walked this land