For Secondary

Social justice is not some kind of optional extra for Catholics. We are all called to a loving relationship with God, which as Jesus taught is demonstrated by care for the most vulnerable in society.

The following resources are provided to help in your important work – teaching social justice to today’s teens.

Scripture

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To let the oppressed go free,
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. (Luke 4: 18 – 19)

Further Scripture Passages highlighting social justice:

Topic	Scripture	The Catholic Youth Bible Page Reference
God demands justice for the poor	Psalm 82: 2-4	Page 669
Righteous Ruler	Psalm 72: 1-2, 12-14	Pages 660-661
God’s concern for the poor	Psalm 146: 4-9	Page 706
God’s concern for justice on the earth	Isaiah 42: 1, 6-7	Pages 875-876
God’s concern for the poor and distressed	Isaiah 1: 11, 16-17	Pages 835-836
The Holiness code in the book of Leviticus insists ‘love they neighbour as yourself’	Leviticus 19: 18b	Page 146
Duty of care for the poor	Ecclesiasticus 34: 23-26	Page 813
Jesus and Social Justice	Matthew 7:21	Page 1135
Jesus and Social Justice	Matthew 25: 31-46	Page 1163
Jesus and Social Justice	Luke 16: 19-24	Pages 1236 – 1237

Prayer

God of Truth and Justice, you call us to live in right relationship with you, with one another, and with all of creation.

Made in your image, we thirst for justice.

Distracted by false images, we seek material goods and artificial status.

We do not use your creation fairly or well.

Open the minds of this adult generation to see the destruction caused by greed.

Let us not hold back from seeing the hardship of others caused by the unfair distribution of earth’s resources.

May we acknowledge our part in this misery, and take whatever steps we can to change it.

Open the hearts of young people to also see a true picture of the world we live in.

May they have courageous and honest teachers to assist them to see what is happening in their world, locally, nationally and globally.

May they learn to make sound judgements and, together with others animated by Jesus, the Just One,

Take action to bring the world to the peace and justice you desire for it.

Fast Facts

Defining social justice and it’s importance
http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/content/socialteaching.html

Key Catholic Social Justice Principles
http://www.osjspm.org/document.doc?id=13
http://catholicsocialservices.org.au/Catholic_Social_Teaching

Pope Benedict’s XV1 Blessed are the Peacemaker Speech Jan 1st 2013
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20121208_xlvi-world-day-peace_en.html

Reflections on Blessed are the Peacemaker Speech
http://ncronline.org/blogs/making-difference/reflections-pope-benedicts-2013-world-day-peace-message

What is the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council?
http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/

Indigineous relations:
http://www.catholic.org.au/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&Itemid=183

Scripture

Prayer

Fast Facts

Further Reading

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