Ep. 1 - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse

Ep. 1 - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse

In this first part of the 2022-23 Social Justice Statement - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference denounces domestic and family violence. The Bishops highlight the staggering prevalence of domestic and family violence and the groups most affected by it. We also hear directly from women affected, Shirleen Campbell and Rosie Batty. Download the Statement and associated resources here [https://bit.ly/SJS2022-23]. David Brennan reads the statement.

Ep. 2 - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse

In the second part of the 2022-23 Social Justice Statement - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse, the Bishops examine the drivers and enablers of domestic and family violence - the inequalities between men and women and attitudes such as condoning violence, dominance and control over women by men. Sherry Balcombe, manager of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria shares her views, including how colonisation has affected Aboriginal communities. Finally, the Bishops call for changes in the church's own culture and state that the misuse of religious teachings to justify violence and abuse against women and children is sinful. Download the Statement and associated resources here [https://bit.ly/SJS2022-23]. David Brennan reads the statement.

Ep. 3 - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse

In the third part of the 2022-23 Social Justice Statement - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse, the Bishops examine how Jesus rejects any use of religious teaching to condone violence and the need to address the direct violence taking place as well as indirect violence. The Bishops state that indirect violence, made up of cultures and attitudes condoning violence, abuse and control are structures of sin and must be changed. The Bishops directly address beliefs held by some Christians that men are the 'head of the household' who can control women and children and they state that this is wrong. The relationships between spouses should reflect their equality in Christ and all family members deserve to be treated as Christ would. Perpetrators should take responsibility and transform themselves using the support available.  Download the Statement and associated resources here [https://bit.ly/SJS2022-23]. David Brennan reads the statement.

Ep. 4 - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse

In the final part of the 2022-23 Social Justice Statement - Respect: Confronting violence and abuse, the Bishops highlight the current resources, programs and advocacy movements working to eradicate domestic and family violence. Building community capacity to support the change in attitudes needed is key, and many Catholic services are working in this area through practical supports for victim/survivors and children, and reformation programs for perpetrators. They conclude that the roots of violence lie in the abuse of power to control and dominate others. They acknowledge the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that cultural factors within the church have enabled abuse in the church and call for the reformation needed to enable us to be true to the Good News of Jesus.  Download the Statement and associated resources here [https://bit.ly/SJS2022-23]. David Brennan reads the statement.

Scripture and the Stranger with Fr Khalid Marogi

Fr Khalid Marogi, Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office [https://www.acmro.catholic.org.au/] shares with Dr Sandie Cornish how Scripture inspires and guides his work. He reflects on the story of Hagar in Genesis and how 'strangers' help us to become one big family in our journey with God. Fr Khalid encourages us not to be afraid but to embrace the privilege of meeting and welcoming others.