Truth, peace and hope in action at CSSA national conference

Over two days from 19 to 20 March, more than 130 social service leaders, advocates and supporters from across the nation gathered in Sydney for the Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) National Conference. With the theme Hope in Action, the conference was an opportunity to discuss the urgent need for sustainable funding for social services and to explore how Catholic Social Teaching can guide a more just and compassionate society.

The conference drew inspiration from the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025 theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, reminding participants that hope is not passive but a call to action—a call to stand in solidarity with those in need and to work towards lasting change.

A key theme emerging from the conference was the close link between truth and peace, powerfully articulated by His Eminence Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Head of the Eparchy of Sts Peter and Paul of Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, in his keynote address. Cardinal Bychok observed that ‘for Christians, peace must be more than an aspiration or dream. It must, as St Paul says, be kept in our hearts through God (Phililppians 4:6). Indeed, Christ gifts his disciples and all of us nothing less than his peace: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). He also tells us that in becoming peacemakers, we become children of God (Matthew5:9).

It is only in confronting truth, face to face, that we are able to discover and experience peace.

Reflecting on conflicts around the world, particularly in Ukraine, he warned of the dangers of distortion and misinformation, emphasising that without truth, there is no real peace, only illusion and oppression.

‘It is only in confronting truth, face to face, that we are able to discover and experience peace,’ Cardinal Bychok continued, explaining that ‘falsehoods are not of God but come from darkness’, sowing discord, division and emnity, and separating us from each other. ‘Truth, then, is necessary if we seek peace, reconciliation and fraternal love with one another,’ he said.

Ms Agnes Sheehan, CEO of CatholicCare Victoria (CCV) and a director on the CSSA board, says Cardinal Bychok’s insights on peace and truth ‘struck a profound chord’ with her and other conference participants.

‘His call to make peace “more than an aspiration” challenged all of us to be active peacemakers in an increasingly complex global environment,’ Ms Sheehan says. ‘Guided by our Catholic faith, we must always strive to uphold justice, defend the oppressed, and promote the dignity of every human being ... to be beacons of hope, fostering understanding and compassion in a world that desperately needs both.’

The delegates gathered for a Conference Mass on the first day, celebrated by Bishop Martin Ashe, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne. The Mass was a moment to reflect on the mission of Catholic Social Services, drawing strength from the Gospel and reaffirming a shared commitment to serving the most vulnerable in our society.

Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, reinforced the need for hope in action in his keynote address, urging Catholic social services to continue their mission as ‘fellow pilgrims with God’s poor’.

The bishop urged Catholic leaders to reframe harsh realities into a vision of hope, drawing inspiration from courageous female leaders like St Mary MacKillop and the biblical midwives Shiprah and Puah. ‘Just as they defied oppression and stood in solidarity with the vulnerable, today’s Catholic leaders must act prophetically,’ Bishop Long said, ‘challenging unjust systems, advocating for the marginalised and fostering a more just and compassionate society.

‘One of the great signs of hope for me is Pope Francis himself. In a world where some are deemed as undeserving and expendable, he has emerged as an increasingly solitary moral voice against perilous global trends such as nationalism, populism, xenophobia and indifferentism.’

This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about human dignity and the fabric of our society.

Another highlight of the conference for Ms Sheehan was the keynote presentation given by Prof David Gilchrist, Director of the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Public Value, on the true cost of social service delivery, which she describes as ‘a call to action for the social services sector and the community’.

As Victorians face rising living costs, the gap between service costs and funding is widening,’ she explains. ‘At CatholicCare Victoria, we’re seeing increased family violence, homelessness and poverty. We are grateful to the government for their partnership and acknowledge the economic challenges they face. However, we need a funding model that reflects the true cost of compassionate care.’

Prof Gilchrist’s insights on how early intervention can lead to significant taxpayer savings by reducing the need for more costly remedial services resonated deeply with Ms Sheehan. ‘This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about human dignity and the fabric of our society,’ she says. ‘We must ensure that economic challenges don’t leave behind those who need our support the most.’

CatholicCare Victoria was also represented among the presenters, with General Manager Deanna Davis sharing insights into the organisation’s work with refugees and asylum seekers. She highlighted the impact of partnership with parishes, philanthropy and government, and how this has significantly amplified the impact of the support provided. As Ms Sheehan explains, ‘through leveraging government grants and additional philanthropic funds and parish support, CCV has been able to provide $4 of additional resourcing for every $1 of government funding. This multiplier effect has enabled broader and more comprehensive compassionate support, including in housing, employment, education and essential services, helping vulnerable individuals and families transition to independence and stability.’

This conference has reaffirmed our shared mission: to bring truth where there is injustice, peace where there is suffering, and hope where there is despair.

Overall, Ms Sheehan says, the conference was a valuable opportunity for leaders, academics and advocates to explore and address some of the most pressing issues our society faces, including child poverty, homelessness and domestic violence. ‘Through meaningful dialogue and collaboration, the conference highlighted the powerful impact of collective action rooted in compassion, dignity and justice,’ she says. ‘Together, we explored how to continue bringing hope to life in our communities, inspired by the call to be Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year.’

CSSA Executive Director Dr Jerry Nockles commended the collective strength of the CSSA network, saying the conference had ‘reaffirmed our shared mission: to bring truth where there is injustice, peace where there is suffering, and hope where there is despair. Our recent statement on the Common Good Accord highlights the need for a renewed social contract—one that places the dignity of the human person and the wellbeing of our communities at the heart of public policy. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our members, whose daily work transforms lives.’