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Social justice in the parishes

Mary Hepburn rsm

We are now post-Lent and into Eastertide! In the gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles during these weeks we share the enthusiasm of the disciples as they come alive with the new life of the risen Jesus. The new life affected whole communities, as they energetically set about living out their new insights and strengths!

During Lent Caritas helped us to focus on justice through both the Lenten programme and education about some of the projects in which Caritas makes a difference throughout the world.

Thirty-five years ago, in 1971, the Synod of Bishops wrote:

Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.

This year, in Deus Caritas Est (2006), Pope Benedict wrote

the promotion of justice through efforts to bring about openness of mind and will to the demands of the common good is something which concerns the Church deeply (#29a).

Justice is integral to our lives as women and men of faith. It seems to me that Eastertide is a great time to take stock of the profile of justice in our Church communities.

I want to connect with all those in our Churches of the archdiocese who have a special interest in justice – animators, social justice groups, people with a passion for some aspect of justice.

In the near future I would like to work with you to enhance the networks, engage in justice formation, and find ways that justice and spirituality can become natural partners. We can look forward to meeting up in parishes or local areas in the coming months.

Please contact m.hepburn@wn.catholic.org.nz

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