Australia’s Catholic bishops say peace is possible if people commit to speaking the truth and redouble efforts to end war.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released the Social Justice Statement for 2024–25, entitled Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.
Every year, in time for Social Justice Sunday—marked this year on 25 August—the bishops seek to make a substantive comment on a key social issue. This year the focus is on the promotion of peace and the need for truth in public life.
‘Words are never enough to make peace—action is required,’ writes Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in the foreword to the statement.
‘Words such as those found in this statement can help us understand the current situation and how we might work together to create a world which better matches both human desire and the divine plan.’
The statement examines rising tensions around the world, the nature of truth, the spread of misinformation and disinformation, the arms race, domestic cohesion, the need for dialogue and education for peace.
As well as highlighting the devastating effects of war and the need for action to make peace, the statement looks at the ways the erosion of truth and the emergence of a post-truth culture contribute to the current crisis of trust and peace, noting that disinformation and misinformation have become more widespread due to the rapid dissemination of fake news and conspiracy theories through social media. It also identifies the arms race and the international arms trade as major obstacles to peace, calling for efforts to end the production and sale of weapons.
The violence in Australia and other parts of the world make it all the more urgent that all who believe in Jesus Christ work together with everyone of good will, all who love truth, to show the world that there is a realistic way to peace.
The bishops argue that peacemaking involves building a culture of dialogue and encounter in order to promote understanding, respect and the common good. This process is not limited to political decision-makers, they say, pointing out that while God is the ultimate source of peace, everyone can contribute to peace through actions such as prayer, advocacy and local community engagement. Education can also play a vital role in promoting peace by teaching the values of truth, trust and dialogue, according to the bishops.
The statement also lists practical action that people can take to make a real difference, including ways to foster dialogue and understanding; support and promote educational initiatives that teach the values of peace, conflict resolution and empathy; advocate for disarmament; engage in community service and reconciliation efforts; and embrace non-violent approaches to conflict resolution in personal relationships, communities and broader society.
Bishop Vincent Long, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, says, ‘The violence in Australia and other parts of the world make it all the more urgent that all who believe in Jesus Christ work together with everyone of good will, all who love truth, to show the world that there is a realistic way to peace, a genuine peace built upon speaking truth and building trust.’
Since the 1940s, the Australian bishops have issued an annual Social Justice Statement, drawing on the Bible, papal teaching, academic studies and the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching to speak on matters of critical importance to our nation. In recent years, the statement has addressed domestic and family violence, mental health, the environment, homelessness and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A copy of the 2024 statement and other resources can be found here.
Social Justice Sunday will be marked on 25 August.
Banner image: detail from the cover of the 2024–25 Social Justice Statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.
