The Archdiocese of Brisbane acknowledges the occupation and care of the land, waterways and sea by Traditional Custodians and their continual spiritual and cultural connection to Country as expressed through their history, music, language, songs, art and dancing. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as having the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, in collaboration with Archdiocesan Ministries, aims to research, analyse, reflect on and respond to issues relating to justice, peace and the environment, in the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.
REFLECTION
Prayer for COP30
Expressions of Interest for Commissioners in the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
If you are someone compelled by Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching to work for social and ecological justice, have you considered becoming a commissioner for the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission? At the end of the year the CJPC has positions on the Commission arising, due to commissioners coming to the end of their terms of appointment. We are welcoming expressions of interest for becoming a commissioner and serving the Archdiocese by researching, analysing and reflecting on, and responding to issues relating to justice, peace and the environment. If you are looking for details about this position, please contact the Executive Officer; Emma Beach – beache@bne.catholic.net.au
NURTURING HOPE
Hope in SYNODAL Actions
Lately hope for parish and community life is supported in the work of the Synod24 Action Plans. The synodal call is being heard in all corners of our Church, from Pope Leo XIV to our new Archbishop Shane Mackinlay, and moves us to listen, include and reach out in our changing world. I encourage you to familiarise yourself with this document, so the hope and promise of these plans can support the spirit and work in all communities. Familiarity will lead to shared communication and action. With the inspiration of Synod24, may we move forward into 2026 with renewed motivation and direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL HINT
Christmas Spirit
An ethically sound Christmas is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season, while positively impacting the world and your Christmas budget! The key to combating overconsumption at Christmas is the same as combatting overconsumption in general – consume intentionally! Only buy what you need, and when you do, try to buy with the earth and the community in mind.
Follow this link for ideas to help you achieve this.
NEWS
COP30
From 10th-20th November COP30 is taking place in Belem, Brazil. The Conference Of the Parties is an annual meeting of countries to negotiate and agree on climate action. 10 years after the Paris Agreement, real legislation and legislative action is needed to reduce the rising earth temperature and catastrophic consequences. The Laudato Si’ Movement brought a melting fragment of glacier, blessed by Pope Leo XIV to emphasize the need for urgent action. Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, explained the situation clearly by stating, “COP30 must be the COP of truth…It is time to take the scientific warnings seriously.”
All serious work starts with prayer and I refer you to the prayer at the start of the newsletter. If you would like to research the details on this event further, please see the links below.
The World Day of the Poor provides all Church communities the opportunity to renew our solidarity with those who are poor in our own community and across the world. In Pope Leo’s XIV message for this day he reminded us that “the poor are not a distraction for the Church, but our beloved brothers and sisters, for by their lives, their words and their wisdom, they put us in contact with the truth of the Gospel.” (This link provides the full text of Pope Leo’s message)
Last month we celebrated the new Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te/I Have Loved You and encourage all to read and reflect on how we think about those who live in poverty and how we take action to address their plight. Wonderfully with time, the number of resources to explore the exhortation is increasing but three good places to start are:
On the 10th November 20 people from 13 different parishes gathered to discuss the implementation for parishes and communities of Decree 8 from the Synod24 Action Plans. Through Conversation in the Spirit, explanations from Pat Mullins about the role of laity, a panel of shared experience and brainstorming workshops, concrete steps forward were discerned. Encouragement and motivation were shared around integral ecology, while we also gathered on this day to pray for the beginning of COP30. As we move into 2026, we aim to focus on our integral ecology formation strategy, creating steps for auditing in the parish context, supporting an Ecological Ministry Strategic Plan, highlighting intergenerational family initiatives and sharing integral ecology liturgy resources. People from around the Archdiocese are needed to work together for these important initiatives.
Any person or parish group interested in participating in this wide range of development please contact Emma Beach: beache@bne.catholic.net.au
Queensland Community Alliance Convention
On the 22nd October 248 people gathered in St John’s Cathedral to share stories and advocate for the common good at the Queensland Community Alliance Convention. People from different faiths, community groups and unions discussed issues like social isolation and loneliness, cost of living and household renewables. The fifteen Catholics that participated were committed to sharing our concern for social justice and the urgent need to protect God’s creation. Together, the gathering planned for Local Listening Actions at the start of 2026 and from these Listening Actions key QCA advocating priorities will be discerned for 2026-2027.
For the Catholic Church, in its evolving culture of synodality, these opportunities to listen to the joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties of the people in their neighbourhoods is vital. Committed to standing in solidarity with those on the margins, we need to hear their experiences and the QCA Listening Actions facilitate this opportunity. It is also important to be a voice in these gatherings that emphasises the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, such as the dignity of the human person and common good and community. This link holds a list of the QCA Local Listening Actions taking place between February and May. Choose a date and time that works for you and email QCA to register your attendance!
Disclaimer: the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) and Archdiocesan Ministries facilitates this newsletter in good faith. Its aim is to promote adult faith formation, awareness and action in relation to social, economic and ecological justice issues. Factual information is presumed free of error. If this is found to be incorrect, please contact the CJPC for purpose of rectification. The reference to news items and the provision of links to other websites is solely for the user's convenience. The CJPC and Archdiocesan Ministries assumes no responsibility for, nor do they necessarily endorse, these items or websites, their content, or their sponsoring organisations. If you have feedback about Catholic Justice, Ecology and Peace, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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