What We Do

Creating a united voice on justice

Published on Monday, 22 August 2011

Sister of Charity Suzette Clark rsc is leading CRA’s new Justice Network – an initiative giving Australia’s Religious a united voice on social justice issues.

Australia’s Religious have a strong commitment to social justice. They work with refugees and asylum seekers, with indigenous Australians, with people who have been trafficked, with homeless people, and with many other groups on the margins of society.  Many are also very committed to creating a more ecologically sustainable society and have ministries in this area.

While great work is being done by congregations both individually and jointly, many Religious felt it was time for congregations to strengthen their voice in this area and to more effectively and strategically influence public and social policy.

As a result, in June this year CRA endorsed the establishment of a Justice Network and appointed Sr Suzette Clark as Coordinator. Sr Suzette will develop the Justice Network in consultation with an appointed Reference Group which includes Sr Deirdre Gardiner rsm, Ms Michaela Guthridge, Sr Carmel Hanson rsj, Sr Carmel Heagerty rsm, Sr Esmey Herscovitch rscj, Sr Geraldine Kearney sgs, Fr Charles Rue ssc, Br Shane Wood cfc.

Sr Suzette says the vision for the Justice Network is that Catholic Religious in Australia will have a united and effective public voice that strategically influences public and social policy to bring about justice, equity and ecological sustainability.

The Sydney-based Sister of Charity has a strong background in social justice having spent 11 years with the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC) as Research & Projects Officer.  During those years and still today, she coordinates the Sisters of Charity Advocacy Network.

“The 11 years with the ACSJC was an amazing journey of learning, networking, meeting inspirational people and being part of many social justice groups,” says Sr Suzette.

Other roles during her more than 40 years in religious life include a significant period in primary and secondary education, in formation ministry and in healthcare ministry.

In 2010 she had a sabbatical in Melbourne where she completed a full-time spirituality course at Heart of Life. Returning to Sydney this year, she was ready for a new challenge. A few months into 2011 she was approached to take on the job of coordinator of CRA’s new Justice Network.

Sr Suzette says over the years she has been inspired by the Sisters of Charity motto: ‘Caritas Christi Urget Nos and Micah 6:8.

“Gradually they have merged into one mantra: the love of Christ offers me no alternative but to do justice, to love with compassion, and to walk in humble partnership with my God.

“Perhaps the place where I am now is encapsulated in the Aboriginal concept of ‘dadirri’, a form of deep inner listening and contemplation tapping into that deep spring that is within us.

“That’s what we will be aiming to do with our new Justice Network – identifying where the injustices are, really listening to the people affected, and then harnessing the potential of all Religious to influence change.”

Other objectives for Suzette and her Reference Group will be looking at ways to maximise opportunities to pool resources, skills and expertise among congregations.   They will be identifying and prioritising injustices that need to be addressed and building on current effective strategies.

Another key focus will be providing information for critical thinking and reflection based on Catholic social teaching.

Suzette says perhaps Miriam-Rose Ungunmer-Bauman’s words to the people of Australia could be a metaphor of the invitation and the attitude to have in our ministry of social justice:

“Wait for us ... not waiting for us to catch up but waiting for us as we find our own space in this world ... wait and walk with us.”

Next month: Meet the members of the Justice Network’s Reference Group

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