“It is important then that all levels of society have an opportunity without confrontation or conflictual rhetoric, to contribute to a common solution.” (Columban Mission Society)
“To make dignity something that can be experienced not just proclaimed” Professor Tom Barnes
For the first time in over 70 years of issuing Social Justice Statements, the Australian Catholic Bishops have this year issued two statements. The first, on the cost-of-living crisis, entitled “The Cost of Our Living: Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good” was issued in February 2026. The second, issued in August to coincide with Social Justice Sunday is entitled Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division”.
Both statements call us to respond to these current social justice issues based on a deep spirituality and an enduring Catholic Social Teaching. The social teachings are the innate dignity of all humans, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity along with the common good. In this reflection I will focus on the first of these principles, namely – the dignity of the human person.
We humans are endowed with dignity by virtue of being created in God’s image and likeness. This dignity is both unique to each person but also common to all. We are both unique and ‘kin.’ The interplay between our uniqueness and our common purpose can be a source of conflict if uncontrolled. However, it is the source of joy and hope if we work together for a common good of all people.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, in his introduction to the first statement reminds us that we have a responsibility to each other to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. He says, “In a world that often feels fractured and anxious, we are called to be signs of God’s love - a people who bring light into places of darkness and hope into situations of despair.” Being signs of God’s love enhances the dignity of each person and the dignity of the whole of humanity.
I would like to note the use of the word ‘Our’ in the title of the first Statement - “Cost of Our Living. Indeed, this statement demonstrates that the economically poor are most disadvantaged i.e., renters, single parents, First Nations communities, migrants, refugees, the elderly, and those with a disability. Often these people put off medical treatment they feel they cannot afford or skip meals to make ends meet. These people are not able then to live and flourish according to their innate human dignity. Allowing these people to experience their human dignity is not just their issue, it is ‘Our’ issue.
There is no human dignity either for those little affected if they choose to ignore this problem. Everyone needs to work together as ‘us’ to ensure essential goods and services are available to all in our community. It is not about creating ‘winners and losers,’ the bishops point out but about ‘creating a community who can work together with respect for each other’s dignity as human beings – with our heads held high.’
It is important then that all levels of society have an opportunity without confrontation or conflictual rhetoric, to contribute to a common solution. Finally, all levels of society need to begin their reflection on the rising cost of goods from the standpoint of those most disadvantaged, not from those who feel little pain,
The most recent social justice statement, “Living the Gospel in Times of Division,” refers to social divisions in our society. It begins by referring to the Bondi Beach attack as a sign of this division. However, social division in our society does not begin or end with that horrific event. Besides this horrifying event and the ensuing Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism, we know of an enquiry into racism against First Nations people and the extent of Islamophobia in our society is evident to all. These realities rivet our attention on the dangers of such divisions in our society. Without a concerted effort to heal these divisions, they can fester and grow to the extent that they become cemented in our collective consciousness and become normalized in ‘just the way things are’ or ‘it is what it is.’ When this happens, we can lose hope that bridges can be built to cross the ‘divides’ and give up on us being able to experience human dignity that comes from working together.
However, this recently issued statement gives us hope that we can create pathways across the barren land between us. It does this by further developing the spirituality arising from the belief that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. Certainly, it expands the concept beyond image which may be seen as static, to embrace likeness which draws attention to the dynamic nature of God.
As we know within the Trinity there is a relationship between the Three Persons. Jesus attested to this relationship so often in his prayer and preaching – The Father and I are one and as such they promised to send the Spirit. God is relational. In this likeness to God, we too find our dynamic and true self—our human dignity— through being relational. In addition, our relational nature is not limited to a private one just with God but embraces all that God relates to – to all people and indeed all of creation. At present though we are focusing on people, but creation cannot be forgotten.
The statement goes on to emphasise a crucial theme that Pope Francis spoke often about. At the level of relationships God calls us to develop a “Culture of Encounter.” Because we are relational beings, we are called to encounter others, that is, not simply to observe from afar but to meet them as a person; to see them with our hearts and not just with our eyes; to listen to them deeply and not just hear them with our ears but to empathise and not just notice and coldly walk on by.
The statement proclaims that the spirit of encounter in our heart enhances our human dignity and creates a pathway for us to be present and to encounter the other as a person whom we can find the image and likeness of God. This is a pathway built on respect for personal dignity which enables both people to experience the enlivening dignity of being a human.
Together we can flourish in a dynamic way and work for the common good at all levels of our society by crossing the moat that divides us whether that divide be political, religion, racial, cultural or ideological. Encounter understood in this way means getting to know people, respecting differences and meeting them heart to heart. This is what Pope Leo calls a conversion of heart; this is what it means to experience human dignity. Truly, any action we take to enhance and affirm a person’s human dignity is a step towards building social cohesion in our society.
Finally, to experience and promote human dignity requires actions. The statements list many actions we might take and different ways to live this message of the Gospel in relation to social justice, the cost of living, and social division. They are many to list and they can be found in the statement links at the beginning of this article, but in brief, one suggestion as Pope Leo suggested for Lent this year, is to refrain from words that offend and hurt others.
In addition, we can welcome migrants and refugees rather than see them as ‘too many arriving too often.’ This way we can build a ‘culture of encounter,’ acting in the likeness of God the Trinity, relational and inclusive. As Catholics, our call to action could be summed up in the words of the prophet Micah “to act justly, love tenderly and walk to walk humbly with our God” (Micah6:8).
Columban Fr. Kelvin Barrett lives and works at St Columban's Essendon.
