As the global Catholic Church celebrates the Year of Jubilee in 2025, Caritas Australia is joining a renewed call for justice, equity and economic reform through its support of the Turn Debt into Hope campaign.
What is the Jubilee Year?
The Jubilee Year, which is celebrated in the Catholic Church every 25 years, is rooted in ancient biblical tradition, where debts were forgiven, land was restored, and freedom was proclaimed for the oppressed.
The Catholic Year of Jubilee is a sacred time observed by the Church, where believers are encouraged to experience a deep sense of spiritual renewal. It’s an opportunity to focus on forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation, as well as to address the social and economic disparities that affect human dignity. The tradition stems from the ancient Jewish practice outlined in Leviticus 25, where every 50th year was set aside to forgive debts, free slaves, and restore land to its original owners.
From 1470, Pope Paul II changed the Jubilee to every 25th year, a practice that has continued until this day.
What is the theme of the Jubilee Year in 2025?
In 2025, the Catholic Church adopted the theme Pilgrims of Hope.
Pope Francis said of the Jubilee that “ecological debt and external debt are two sides of the same coin that mortgages the future. The Holy Year of 2025 calls us to open our minds and hearts to be able to untie the knots of those bonds that strangle the present, without forgetting that we are only custodians and stewards, not masters.”
For Caritas Australia, this Jubilee year is more than symbolic. It presents an opportunity to advocate for some of the world’s most vulnerable nations who remain burdened by crushing levels of debt. These financial obligations - often the result of unjust lending arrangements - continue to limit access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Turn Debt into Hope in this Jubilee Year
The Turn Debt into Hope campaign, supported by Caritas Australia and other Caritas agencies in the global confederation, urges wealthy nations and financial institutions to cancel unsustainable debts in low-income countries. The campaign highlights how debt repayments often prevent governments from investing in the future of their citizens, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.
The Jubilee year comes at a critical time when the world faces an unprecedented debt crisis.
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Over 100 countries in a debt crisis, with 65% of their debt controlled by private lenders
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60% of low-income countries at or near debt distress
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3.3 billion people living in countries where debt repayments outpace essential spending on health and education
Through Turn Debt into Hope, Caritas Australia is advocating for systemic change in international financial systems, including debt transparency, fair lending practices, mechanisms for renegotiating debt, and accountability from both borrowers and lenders. The campaign also calls on the Australian government to play a leadership role in international debt negotiations and relief programs.
This Jubilee Year, Caritas Australia is encouraging Catholics and all Australians to take part in campaign actions, learn more about global debt issues, and support policies that prioritise human dignity and long-term development.
Caritas Australia launches Turn Debt into Hope campaign in Jubilee Year
On the eve of Laudato Si' Week, Caritas Australia launched the Turn Debt into Hope campaign with an online webinar attended by more than 100 people. The webinar featured speakers including Caritas Australia CEO Kirsten Sayers, who outlined the problems that the global debt crisis is causing, especially amongst the 54 countries currently in debt distress.
Leba Tamari from Caritas Fiji talked about the situation in her country and the ways that debt distress limits the government's ability to provide adequate housing and respond to disasters like cyclones.
Luke Fletcher from Jubilee Australia spoke about his research from the Weathering the Storm report that was conducted in collaboration with Caritas Australia and quantified the impact of debt distress across the Pacific.
Caritas Australia board member Archbishop Coleridge spoke about the connection between Laudato Si' and the Turn Debt into Hope campaign, and Sister Susan Connelly wrapped up the webinar by urging everyone to take action and sign the petition.
