Catholics urge federal political candidates to champion climate change in the name of Jesus

The Catholic order set up by Australia’s own Saint Mary MacKillop is urging voters in the federal election to support action on climate action and women’s rights.

The beloved Catholic order established by Australia’s very own Saint Mary MacKillop will launch a campaign urging voters in the federal election to support candidates who champion climate action and women’s rights.

The Sisters of St Joseph’s Josephite Justice Network will launch the progressive campaign on Wednesday night which has the backing of high level Catholics from across many orders including Parramatta’s Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen.

North Sydney based Josephite Justice Network co-ordinator Sister Jan Barnett is one of the leading voices behind the campaign.

Sister Jan Barnett is the Sisters of St Joseph Josephite Justice Network co-ordinator

“We know politicians have boasted we’re all in this together – but we’re not,” Sr Barnett said.

“The rich, powerful corporations and fossil fuel industries are in it together. The first nations people, the homeless and people like (whistleblower facing charges for revealing Australia spied on Timor Leste) Bernard Collaery are not.

“This is about what is for the good of all Australians.”

The campaign is endorsed by Bishop Vincent Van Long Nguyen pictured here at Mary MacKillop Chapel, North Sydney.

The Voting for the Common Good campaign pamphlets cover 12 issues including homelessness, refugees and the aged care crisis and examines them based on the teachings of Jesus.

“We are impelled by Catholic Social Teaching to take urgent action on the climate emergency facing creation,” the document reads.

The paper, which does not advocate support for any political candidate, condemns the government’s performance at Copenhagen and urges them to take action to “introduce the necessary regulation and spending to keep warming to the 1.5 degrees stipulated by the IPCC’s sixth assessment report”.

In the section on women’s rights, the group advocates for a raft of changes including, “a clear whole-of-government approach to economic inequality and workplace harassment; explicit and unequivocal legislation to address the cancer of domestic violence and realistic funding for frontline services such as women’s refuges”.

The congregation at The Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney.

“We are all created equal, women and men. It is important to remember the only people that changed the mind of Jesus throughout his ministry were women: his mum, his friends, the women fighting for the children,” the document reads.

“Being created equal means giving women the same rights, responsibilities and value as men. Inequality is a political choice: it is not inevitable.”

Catholic Archdiocese Justice and Peace Officer Julie Macken said the documents will be disseminated to schools, parishes, services, social justice groups and unions.

“I don’t think this is a Catholic thing – I think it’s a decent person thing. Polling tells us most Australians are really sad about where we are as a country,” Ms Macken said.

“Whether its stuff about climate change or not looking after our neighbours, people are looking for answers.”

The campaign will launch on Wednesday March 30 at St Columba Parish Hall in Leichardt.