As Australians search for answers amid growing social division, political unrest and financial hardship, it is critical that the Church speaks into the public square, says Catholic Social Services Australia chief executive Jerry Nockles. Source: The Catholic Leader.
“It’s a really important moment in the country’s history,” Dr Nockles said. “People are looking for something … different in the political space. I think part of the answer of what they’re looking for is the eternal truths that we’ve always spoken to as a Church.
“Catholic social teaching gives us the courage to be consistent.”
As CSSA marks its 70th anniversary this year, Mr Nockles said the focus was on the future, to ensure its national network of Catholic social service organisations were equipped to serve and advocate for those most in need.
“Whether we’re supporting refugees or caring for the elderly or walking with families in crisis, advocating for justice, this is the Church in action,” he said.
He linked CSSA’s work to the Gospel of Matthew: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me”.
The Church has always been involved in social service, and in 1956, Msgr Frank McCosker established CSSA after seeing a need for a professional body.
Msgr McCosker was concerned that the expanding welfare state, otherwise known as government-funded social services, was moving into an area traditionally led by the Church and charities.
“That calculus has kind of flipped and we’re now almost standing on the outside thinking, ‘how do we as people of God, as Catholic social services, supplement the work government’s doing?’” Dr Nockles said.
“Much has been gained in that transition, but I think something’s been lost as well.”
Demand for social services has increased, but the gap between costs and funding has grown, too.
CSSA worked with Professor David Gilchrist at the University of Western Australia last year on the “Real Costs, Real Impacts” report. It highlighted the sector’s inability to recruit and retain staff compared with wages and conditions in other sectors.
They are working on another report to educate the government on the scale of this gap.
“I think they [ministers] understand the sector and us, so that makes me optimistic,” Dr Nockles said.
“The most vulnerable people in the community … simply can’t be the shock absorbers for budgetary restraint.”
FULL STORY
‘This is the Church in action’ – Catholic values at the heart of Australia’s social services (By Kymberlee Gomes, The Catholic Leader)
