Media release

27 September 2007

Social Justice Sunday – Burma is our neighbour

Caritas Australia welcomes this year’s social justice statement “Who is my neighbour? Australia’s role as a global citizen,” as a profound and evocative statement of inclusion.

“The Catholic Church is fundamentally concerned with justice and supporting the most marginalized and vulnerable in our world,’ said Caritas Australia CEO Jack de Groot.

“We congratulate the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference for this year’s social justice Sunday statement and its implicit challenge to us all.”

“This week in Burma we have seen a powerful uprising led by our Buddhist brothers and sisters.

“Their courageous act of marching is a call to all of us to act. For too long we have failed to support the people of Burma in their struggle against the oppressive military regime which has ruled there for four and a half decades.”

“Today the protests are driven by the spiritual leaders in Burma, the Buddhist monks and nuns. Overnight the tragic killing of at least three of their number and a further civilian, raises grave concerns for the ongoing safety of these courageous people.

‘Their hour of need is great, and as part of the international community we as Australian’s and our Government need to stand with them in their struggle for justice.”

“Practically we can support organisations like Caritas who have been working with the most marginalized in Burma for over 15 years. We can also call on our government who has continued to engage with the Burmese regime, to bring pressure on them to ensure there is a road map to peace quickly established.”

“The situation in Burma, where rape and forced labor are sanctioned by the dictatorship, is extremely dire. Australia must use all its influence to bring about change in that country.”

“The time for action is now as the next 24 hours appear crucial in calling the Burmese junta to account and stopping a massacre of innocent civilians such as occurred on August 8, 1988.”

“Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is a beacon of hope for her people and also for us. Her dignified resistance has seen her incarcerated as a political prisoner for twelve of the last eighteen years.”

“To support our neighbour is crucial to the teaching of Christ. Our neighbours in Burma, need our prayers and support over the next days and weeks. Burma's Archbishop Charles Maung Bo has called for a national prayer campaign as monks in the streets of the former capital Rangoon shout ‘democracy’. The courage and commitment of the people of Burma in standing up for justice needs to be supported around the world. Australians can play a part and our Government needs to act urgently to their pleas.”

For more information contact Tim O’Connor 0417 284 831 or 02) 9923 3400

‘Who is my Neighbour? Australia’s role as a global citizen’ is available from the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council  (02) 9956 5811 or download the PDF here.