by Julie Macken Who could have imagined when we began the journey of 150 Days of Action for refugees that we would be grieving for the beautiful country of Afghanistan. As we watched the Kabul airport fill with fear, bombs and those desperately seeking safety we knew we were watching the beginning of life on … Continue reading Call to Lamentation and Commitment
By Julie Macken Let me say from the start that I have no idea whether we should go for a policy of elimination, or suppression or simply let the virus rip. I’m not a public health expert, nurse, doctor or social worker. This is not about what we do, so much as how we do … Continue reading The Covid Crisis needs Community Leadership
by Ruth Moraes We celebrated Social Justice Sunday on the 29th of August which kicks off an entire year dedicated to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2021-22 social justice statement, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor. The title and theme are a timely and ever needed reminder of Pope Francis’ words in Laudato Si’ that everything is … Continue reading Creation Connects Everything
by Dr. Robbie Lloyd Positivity doesn’t automatically mean that everything is rosy, as Bob Dylan famously indicated in his 1965 hit single song Positively 4th Street, which is full of derision and bitterness, but under an apparently positive title. It was thought to be a reaction against those who criticised the folk icon for daring to “go electric” and … Continue reading Positively 4th Street
by Dr. Robbie Lloyd Psychologists talk a lot about “learned helplessness.” It’s what happens to many of us when we are subjected to repeated stressful situations. People come to believe that they are unable to control or change the situation, so they give up trying, even when opportunities for change become available. Australians are stuck … Continue reading Learned Helplessness
