Each year, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference releases a Social Justice Statement addressing a significant issue within society, inviting us to reflect on our collective and personal response. The 2024-25 statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World, challenges us to explore the complexities of peace in a world filled with violence, misinformation, and division.

Our Diocese has a rich tradition of gathering secondary students and teachers to unpack the newly released Social Justice Statement, and this year’s event was a powerful experience for all involved.

The day began with an inspiring talk by a guest speaker who shared reflections from a recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Through the lens of this journey, the speaker vividly painted a picture of the stark contrast between the region’s deep spiritual significance and the ongoing tensions of conflict and division. This set the tone for the rest of the day, encouraging students to think critically about peace, justice, and the reality of living out Gospel values in challenging times.

In the second session, students delved into the Social Justice Statement in smaller groups, focusing on different sections and then presenting their reflections to the larger group. Several key themes emerged from these discussions:

• The prevalence of power, corruption, greed, and manipulation in today's world, and how misinformation has become a standard tool of influence.
• The deep challenge of living by God’s teachings, acknowledging that it is often harder to forgive and seek peace than to retaliate.
• The need to know oneself and seek truth leads to personal and collective peace.
• The importance of finding good even in bad situations and recognising that peace takes time.
• The significance of dialogue is based on encounters, where listening to others and acknowledging shared suffering becomes a pathway to reconciliation.
• A collective understanding that truth is everyone's concern no one person speaks the whole truth, and we must bridge the gap between truth and action.
• Reflecting on Jesus' approach to power, students noted how He often took back power, but not in the way people expected choosing humility, mercy, and non-violence.

The day concluded with a powerful and symbolic drumming session. This unique activity connected back to the themes discussed, emphasising the importance of speaking out when other voices are loud and working together in solidarity to communicate a vital message. The rhythm of the drums reminded participants of the need for unity and collective action in the pursuit of truth and peace.

As we reflect on this year's Social Justice Statement, we are reminded that the path to peace is not easy, but through understanding, dialogue, and action rooted in truth, we can make a real difference in our world.