(From left) Anita Grabovac, Marketing and Communications Assistant ACU; Bishop Christopher Saunders DD, Bishop of Broome, Chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council; Bishop Anthony Fisher OP DD VG, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney; George Cardinal Pell DD STL MEd DPhil (Oxon) FACE, Archbishop of Sydney.(From left) Bishop Christopher Saunders DD, Bishop of Broome, Chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council; John Ferguson, Executive Officer, Australian Catholic Social Justice Council; Bishop Anthony Fisher OP DD VG, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney; Bec Bromhead, Youth and Young Adults Coordinator of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

Bishops launch statement on young people and justice

The 2009 Social Justice Sunday Statement was launched this week at the University's Strathfield Campus by the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

In the Statement, And You Will Be My Witnesses: Young people and justice, the Catholic Bishops of Australia reflected on the events of World Youth Day in 2008 and supported young people's commitment to social justice.

Among the issues addressed was the plight of young Indigenous people, those excluded from employment, the issue of mental health and the need to create safe environments for young people.

The respondent was Bec Bromhead, Youth and Young Adults Coordinator of Vinnies NSW, who said the Holy Fathers challenge was to connect with the world around us on a deeper level.

"We must share the love, the joy and the hope that our Christian faith brings us with those in need," she said.

Attended by local school children, the launch was preceded by a mass led by Archbishop of Sydney, His Eminence Cardinal George Pell, and followed by a barbecue and Young People's Panel.

Social Justice Sunday is celebrated on 27 September 2009. The Statement can be downloaded at: www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au