Sorry Day Statement from Catholic ReligiousAustralia

Mark Raper SJ, speaking as the President of Catholic Religious Australia, issued the following statement for Sorry Day 2008.

To read the document, click here

Sorry Day 2008

These action resource sheets were prepared in dialogue with the Province's Working Groupon Ministry Among Indigenous Peoples. They are intended to assist in the commemoration of Sorry Day on 26 May.

Click on the titles below to download the resources:
Sorry Day 2008 overview
Getting in Touch with Experience
Understanding Structures of Sin
Stolen Generations Track Home
Giving the Apology Flesh & Bones

Open Letter to PM Rudd

Provincial Mark Raper SJ writes in his role as President of Catholic Religious Australia of the religious' hopes for the new Federal Government.

You can read the letter here.

Faith Doing Justice

In November 2006 Provincial Mark Raper SJ launched the Faith Doing Justice website, which is a partnership project of the Loyola Institute and Church Resources. His launch speech notes the importance of Catholic Social Teaching as a resource for action.

You can read the launch speech here.

Religious Support Indigenous Declaration

Mark Raper SJ, speaking as President ofCatholic Religious Australia, suggests that it is time for the Australian Government to enter into a deep dialogue with Indigenous Australians that will enable it to support the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in a meaningful way.

Read the media release here.

Serving the Poor Through the Healing Ministries

Addressing the Sisters of Charity Health Service Board and Executive Retreat in 2006, Australian Provincial Mark Raper SJ explores how the mission to serve the poor makes the service provided by Catholic health organizations different from government services, and other not-for-profit health care.

The article is here.

Jesuit Lenten Series 2008

Seminars in Melbourne and Sydney addressed the topic Climate Change: Who Pays the Price? Follow the links below for audio recordings of the talks.

Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation, was the keynote speaker in Melbourne. His talk is available here (9MB).

Michael Raper, Director of the Welfare Rights Centre, Sydney, was the keynote speaker in Sydney. His talk is available here (13 MB).

Maryanne Loughry, Associate Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Australia spoke in both Melbourne and Sydney. Her talk is available here (8MB).

Michael Kelly SJ, Executive Director of Church Resources, also spoke in both Melbourne and Sydney. His talk is available here (7 MB).

Provincial’s Address to the Jesuit Social Services Board Strategic Planning Workshop

As Jesuit Social Services commenced its 30th year, Provincial Mark Raper SJ recalled the Society of Jesus’ criteria for choosing activities and made new requests of the Board. He encouraged the agency to build on its achievements for more universal service.

You can read this speech here.

The Church as an Agent of Hope: What can Religious Faith Contribute to Life in Contemporary Australia?

Australian Provincial Mark Raper SJ reflects on the inter-relationship between faith and our culture, drawing on Catholic social teaching in this 2005 talk at the Catholic Institute of Sydney.

The article is here.