HARNESSING THE ENERGY FOR REform
Australasian catholic coalition for Church reform
(ACCCR)
ACCCR remembers Pope Francis
We mourn for Pope Francis with deep sadness. A man of compassion, courage, and profound humility who touched hearts across the world, transcending borders and beliefs. He listened to everyone, with sensitivity, care and true concern for justice as his compass. His was a unique combination of strength and humility.
This Jesuit from Argentina, ‘the ends of the Earth’ as he called it, insisted that we should all be awake to the cries of the poor and the natural world.
He pursued his agenda with authority, courage and determination. With gentle strength, he showed us a style of leadership that walked with the wounded, listened to the forgotten, embraced the stranger and encouraged everyone to respect those on the margins.
His reform instincts ran deep; he held to them with conviction but he was no crude enforcer. He respected people who opposed him, rising above the fray of polarities. He will be remembered for embedding synodality as a core process within the Church. His unwavering commitment to reform has changed it forever.
Laudato si’, Evangelii gaudium, Fratelli tutti and other major statements/encyclicals will continue to inspire people everywhere.
Francis’ dream lives on in us. We are grateful for having known this great Pope who will be remembered for generations. We give thanks for his life, his witness, and his unrelenting hope. Let us now work to bring his dream to fulfilment.
Media Release 23 April 2025
ACCCR assessment of election policies
The overriding principles demonstrated in ACCCR’s first election statement were Justice and Compassion. ACCCR has called upon all political candidates in this federal election ‘to commit to policies that reflect fundamental values of human dignity, fairness, and care for the vulnerable’.
We have stated our five key concerns as 1) Social and Economic Justice; 2) First Nations Justice; 3) Climate Action and Care for Creation; 4) Human Rights and Refugee Protection; and 5) Integrity in Politics.
We note with satisfaction that other prominent Catholic voices, including the St Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) have shared our concerns and spoken in their own statements with similar values and spirit in mind.
In addition, Vinnies spoke specifically about the need for housing security and CRA about broader cost of living concerns. We add our voices to theirs on these issues.
ACCCR is disappointed that the major party leaders have not conducted a visionary election campaign, but rather one which has attempted to entice voters with short-term solutions to major issues such as housing shortages and cost of living. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have given little or no attention to First Nations Justice, refugee rights or care for creation.
Vinnies’ scorecard shows that on some issues, such as housing security and the needs of First Nations peoples, the Greens party scores more positively. On other issues like Integrity in Politics and a strong anti-corruption commission the positive vision of the Community Independents has been diluted by the major parties.
ACCCR remains determined to advocate for a more inclusive, compassionate and sustainable society and calls on all political parties, candidates and voters to join us.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Kevin Liston, Co-chair
Email. Acccr.reform@gmail.com
Phone. 0411 197 829
Faith and Public Policy
Francis Sullivan
17 April 2025
Easter is as good a time as any to be reminded that Christianity has a contribution in the formulation of public policy.
An emphasis on values and virtues will go a long way in ensuring that our social fabric remains strong. Helping shape the public conscience is never redundant. Our challenge is to place mercy and truth at the head of the queue when considering the promotion of social order and security.
From its outset, Christianity has attempted to engage the prevailing culture with a deep humanism based on compassion and justice. It has fumbled these attempts at times, but overall it has left the dual markers of the preservation of human dignity and the promotion of the common good as the litmus test for a decent society. The upshot has been the promotion of more inclusive and co-operative communities that have had an eye to the downtrodden and disadvantaged.
What the bishops chose not to say
John Warhurst
13 April 2025
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Those Catholics and other ‘people of goodwill’ who notice the Bishops’ federal election statement for May 2025 will be puzzled and exasperated: puzzled by its modest aspirations and exasperated by its narrow contents and lack of energy and engagement. Issued under the title “Called to Bring Hope in the Year of Jubilee” the statement references the coincidence of the election with the Holy Year of Jubilee, themed ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. It was produced under the banner of the Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement, chaired by the Archbishop of Melbourne. |
ACCCR calls for Justice and Compassion in the Federal Election
Media release 28 March 2025
As Australians prepare to cast their votes in the upcoming Federal Election, ACCCR urges voters, political leaders, and policymakers to prioritise social justice, compassion, and integrity in governance.
As a coalition committed to reform within the Catholic Church and broader society, ACCCR calls on all political candidates to commit to policies that reflect fundamental values of human dignity, fairness, and care for the vulnerable.
Key concerns for ACCCR in this election include:
- Social and Economic Justice – Ensuring policies that reduce inequality, provide a fair living wage, and strengthen the social safety net to support those in need.
- First Nations Justice – Commitment to real action on reconciliation, including implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and policies that improve the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Climate Action and Care for Creation – Addressing the urgent climate crisis with strong policies that reduce emissions, support renewable energy, and protect the environment for future generations.
- Human Rights and Refugee Protection – Ending inhumane offshore detention, ensuring humane and fair treatment of asylum seekers, and upholding Australia’s commitment to international human rights obligations.
- Integrity in Politics – Advocating for transparency, accountability, and a strong federal anti-corruption commission to restore trust in democratic institutions.
Faith communities play a critical role in shaping a more just and compassionate society. We encourage all voters, especially Catholics and other people of faith, to consider these moral and ethical principles when deciding their vote.
ACCCR calls on political leaders to lead with courage, integrity, and a commitment to the common good. The choices we make in this election will shape the future of our nation and determine whether we become a more inclusive, compassionate, and sustainable society. In this context, we hope for a respectful campaign free of personal attacks, wilful exaggeration and misinformation.
In the last week of the campaign, ACCCR will circulate an assessment of the policies being proposed.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Eleanor Flynn, Co-chair Kevin Liston, Co-chair
Email. Acccr.reform@gmail.com Email. Acccr.reform@gmail.com
Phone. 0412 347 811 Phone. 0411 197 829
SYNOD ON SYNODALITY: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission
Final Document: Official English Translation
“With the Final Document, we have gathered up the fruit of years – at least three – , during which we set out to listen to the People of God, in order to have a better understanding, by listening to the Holy Spirit, of how to be a “synodal Church” in these times”.
From Pope Francis’ closimg address.
On Promoting Theology
Pope Francis places human experience at the heart of the foundations of theology, and so, of spirituality. alongside scripture and tradition. The action of the Spirit and sense of faith is unique for every person.
Analysis of Church Reform Priorities: CCCG Priorities matched to Synod on Synodality
This analysis is a key resource as we seek implementation of the aspirations of the Synod on Synodality. There is a great deal of potential and grounds for hope but actualising it will be a major task. There is little enthusiasm among either bishops or parish clergy!
The analysis provides a much needed framework for developing appropriate responses and using it to inform ourselves as well as to promote movement in our own situations and circumstances.
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