Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

The season of Lent in Australia is accompanied by the traditional 'Project Compassion' appeal conducted by Caritas

The focus of Project Compassion is fundraising. Funds raised support the development projects undertaken by Caritas on behalf of many of the poor of our world and the relief work provided in the aftermath of disasters such as the recent Philippines landslide and the Central Asian earthquake – an obvious and important role that has always had prominence in the life of the Church.

This was emphasised again in the recent letter of Pope Benedict XVI

"The Church can never be exempted from practising charity as an organized activity of believers, and on the other hand, there will never be a situation where the charity of each individual Christian is unnecessary, because in addition to justice man needs, and will always need, love."- ‘Deus Caritas Est’ Article 29

In the same letter however, Benedict also stressed the importance of justice – something that has not always received the same attention in the history of the church.

Whilst acknowledging that the creation of a just society is primarily the responsibility of the state, Benedict states that

The Church…cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice - ‘Deus Caritas Est’ Article 28 and

"The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society… is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. So they cannot relinquish their participation in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote … the common good."- ‘Deus Caritas Est’ Article 29

This bulletin is intended to assist members of the Edmund Rice Network fulfill that duty to work for the just ordering of society.