Culture is often seen more clearly when you encounter a contrast that makes you realise that you think, feel, see and act differently to others.
During May 2022, there were two events that gave me an appreciation that there is such a thing as “the Australian way”.
The first was the signing of the ACBC-AMPJP Accord. I am not aware of any episcopal conference that has documented: (1) that it recognises MPJPs as Church Authorities to whom they are bound in bonds of communion and mission and (2) how it will collectively engage with MPJPs to furthers these bonds for the sake of God’s mission. The signing of the document was the culmination of a two year process initiated by AMPJP Council Chair: Eva Skira AM.
The second was the permanent rescheduling of Laudato si’ week in Australia to the week prior to international celebrations of Laudato si’ week. If the international dates were used in Australia, they would clash with National Reconciliation week. The ACBC Office for Justice Ecology and Peace explains the reasoning as:
Reconciliation Week is a major national event that draws attention to a fundamental question of justice in Australian society. It should not be displaced by or simply subsumed into other celebrations.
Without much fuss, the Australian Church is simply showing that we have our own priorities and processes. There is no criticism of others. It is simply a case of: “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). Recognising the importance of National Reconciliation Week is consistent with the strong support for better incorporation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Catholic Church and the endorsement of the From the Heart Statement by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference., Catholic Religious Australia and a number of other Church Authorities.
May the peoples praise you, O God:
May all the peoples praise you!
In the spirit of Laudato Si’, may we:
repent as well as rejoice,
sigh as well as sing,
learn from new voices in an ancient land,
respect all that is different and diverse,
love connection and community,
enjoy participation and possibility,
search both inner and outer landscapes
for your Spirit.
May the peoples praise you, O God:
May all the peoples praise you!
Laudato Si’ mi Signore! (“Praise be to you, my Lord”)Amen
New website content:
New content on About MPJPs page:
- AMPJP Organisational Structure (30 May 2022)
- MPJP Timeline (posted 27 May 2022)
- MPJPs, their structures and their ministries (posted 02 May 2022)
New content on Events page:
- Webinar: Yves Congar’s Theology of the Laity 07 June 2022
- MPJP Canonical Stewards Wisdom Circle in Perth 13 June 2022
- How do we know Christ now? 17 June 2022
- Xavier School of Mission 19-24 June 2022
- The Outsider Pope: Where is Francis leading our Church? 11 July 2022
- MPJP Stewards Wisdom Circle in Sydney 08 Sept 2022
- NATSICC National Assembly 2022 19-23 Sept (details updated)
- MPJP Stewards Wisdom Circle in Melbourne 20 Oct 2022
- National Evangelisation Conference 20-22 Oct 2022
- MPJP Stewards Wisdom Circle in Brisbane 03 Nov 2022
New content on News page:
- ACBC-AMPJP Accord (posted 30 May 2022)
- AMPJP Council meeting 10 May 2022 (posted 19 May 2022)
- Celebrating Laudato si’ week (posted 19 May 2022)
- National Reconciliation Week (posted 24 May 2022)