Social Justice Sunday 2023: Date, History, Facts about Concerning Social Justice

Social justice Sunday is celebrated annually on the last Sunday in August. The date of this year’s commemoration is August 27. Australia’s Catholic Church has a lengthy history of observing Social Justice Sunday. Since 1940, the Catholic Bishops have issued an annual Social Justice Statement nearly every year. On Social Justice Sunday, the bishops’ conference as a whole makes a statement on social justice. The purpose of these proclamations is to inspire contemplation and action throughout the year.

The background of Social Justice Sunday

Social Equity The Catholic Church in Australia has a lengthy history of observing Sunday. Practically every year since 1940, catholic bishops have issued significant social justice pronouncements. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (A.C.B.C.) established the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (A.C.S.J.C.) in 1987 as the national justice, peace, and human rights institution of the Catholic Church. The Bishops Commission for Justice and Development holds the American Catholic Social Justice Commission accountable to the American Catholic Bishops Conference.

The activities of the A.C.S.J.C. fall into three categories: awareness and networking at the diocesan level, education and formation, research, advocacy, and public policy. The media release for the Social Justice Statement urges the entire Catholic Church to act with increased urgency and to be guided by the integrated social and ecological vision of Laudato Si. On this day, devoted individuals, religious institutions, schools, and organisations that have long worked on environmental issues are acknowledged, praised, and held up as a model for the Catholic community.

The Social Justice Statement exemplifies the Catholic community’s engagement and effective responses as a result of the commitment of the Australian Church to inspire participation. The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council collaborates with and supports a nationwide network of contacts designated by each diocese, as well as maintaining contact with the Holy See’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Responsibilities of the Office for Justice, Ecology, and Peace include implementing initiatives and programmes on behalf of the Bishops, assisting the Bishops in their advocacy on social justice issues, raising awareness of issues, and collaborating with others to promote social, economic, and ecological justice.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS CONCERNING SOCIAL JUSTICE

Australia is home to 4,161 religious catholic nuns and 679 religious catholic brothers.

In 2018, 2,900 priests resided in Australia.

The Catholic Church consists of 1,394 parishes.

According to the 2016 Australian Census, the Catholic population accounts for 22.6% of the total population.

In Australia, there are 34 dioceses administered by bishops.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	August 28	Sunday
2023	August 27	Sunday
2024	August 25	Sunday
2025	August 31	Sunday
2026	August 30	Sunday