Each year, at this time, the Bishops of Australia put out a statement for Social Justice Sunday, the last Sunday of September.
This year they have put out another excellent article which is challenging and thought provoking.
The statement is entitled: ‘Everyone’s Business: Developing an inclusive and sustainable economy’.
It calls for an economy that is founded on justice and offers dignity and inclusion to every person.
It highlights the plight of the homeless and a problem that is growing each day.
It is frightening to think that it is not just the destitute who are homeless but even people who have jobs are not able to afford lodging of any kind.
Australia has enjoyed economic growth for 25 years and the Bishops stress that the economy is something that exists not for its own sake but for the benefit of the entire society.
The rate of homelessness is increasing rapidly and with 10,000 people in this situation it is not something we can ignore and take no responsibility for when these people are on our streets.
Maybe their presence in our faces will be enough that we have to address this and will help create a ground swell to seek answers.
Fr Michael Morley
