Social justice

'In this global world marked by such profound changes, we now want to deepen our understanding of the call to serve faith, promote justice, and dialogue with culture and other religions in the light of the apostolic mandate to establish right relationships with God, with one another, and with creation.' (35th General Congregation, Decree 3)

The mission of the Society of Jesus today is the service of faith, of which the promotion of justice is an absolute requirement. Jesuits are called to serve, accompany, work with and advocate for people in the margins—those who are ignored or forgotten by the rest of society. Social justice has long been at the heart of the mission of the Society of Jesus, always moving to the frontiers, to places which others do not reach or have difficulty in reaching.

In Australia, Jesuits and their lay companions have walked with people from many different backgrounds and in many different places, from indigenous people in the Kimberley region to young offenders in cities to migrants and asylum seekers in search of peace and security in our country. Many lay people are now part of our social ministries, increasing the professional capacity of our organisations.

Social justice initiatives in our Province are carried out in all of our ministries: in our schools, parishes, centres of spirituality and communications and in our work with indigenous people. Our specific social ministries include Jesuit Social Services, Jesuit Mission and Jesuit Refugee Service.

Jesuit Social Services provides a lead role in resourcing the Australian Province’s social justice work. Currently running programs in Melbourne, Sydney and Alice Springs, the organisation began with the opening of the Brosnan Centre as a half-way house for young men leaving the justice system in 1977. Since then the work has expanded to support recently arrived immigrants and refugees, people with multiple and complex needs including mental health and drug-related programs, and people facing barriers to sustainable employment.

Jesuit Mission was set up in 1951 to support Australian Jesuit missionaries in Hazaribag, India. It continues to support Jesuit programs in countries across Asia and Africa. Jesuit Refugee Service, established in 1980, works with asylum seekers and refugees coming to Australia from all corners of the world.

Social ministries

Jesuit Social Services
Jesuit Social Services works to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential - by partnering with community to support those most in need and working to change policies, practices, ideas and values that perpetuate inequality, prejudice and exclusion.
www.jss.org.au

Jesuit Refugee Service
Accompanying, serving and defending the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people around the world and in our own Australian community.
www.jrs.org.au

Jesuit Mission
Contributing to the building of human communities of freedom, dignity and understanding in developing countries.
www.jesuitmission.org.au

Indigenous Ministry
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and communities, and with the wider Australian community, to promote justice for Australia’s First Peoples and reconciliation between all Australians.
www.jim.org.au

Corpus Christi community
Offering accommodation and support for men with a background of homelessness and alcoholism.
855 Mickleham Rd, Greenvale Vic 3059
Ph (03) 9333 1444
corpuscc@corpuscc.org.au