In the presence of all peoples: Celebrating cultural diversity

In the presence of all peoples:Celebrating cultural diversity Social Justice Week 11-17 September 2005

Each of us is the result of a thought of God.Each of us is willed, each of us in loved, each of us is necessaryPope Benedict XVI

Social Justice Week prayer May Christ inflame the hearts of all people To break through the barriers which divide them To strengthen the bonds of mutual love To learn to understand one another And to pardon those who have done them wrong Through Christ’s power and inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as brothers and sisters And may the peace we long for, ever flower and ever reign among us Amen Pope John XXIII

Social Justice Week • An opportunity each year to consider Catholic social teaching on a current issue • Celebrated in Catholic parishes, schools, ethnic chaplaincies, religious communities • 2002 Refugees and Migrants • 2003 Children • 2004 Mental Health • 2005 Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Why cultural diversity? In 2004, the Caritas Board chose cultural diversity because of concerns about: • Racially motivated violence, including attacks on migrants, and Jewish cemeteries • Calls for “uniformity” and an end to “race based funding” • Growing intolerance of those who are different - “fear of the stranger” • Poorly informed level of political debate about cultural diversity • Lack of knowledge by Catholics of Catholic social teaching on matters such as human dignity and equality, indigenous rights, racism and refugees

Some key principles of Catholic social teaching Human Dignity Every person is made in the image of God. Therefore they are invaluable and worth of respect as a member of the human family.

Solidarity We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other transcend national, racial and economic differences.

The Common Good Individual rights are always experienced within the context of the common good. The common good is about respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people.

Preferential protection for the poor and vulnerable Our Catholic tradition instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

Participation People have a right and a duty to participate in society.

Statement from the Bishops As New Zealanders we like to think of ourselves as a fair and tolerant people. Sadly events of the past year have shown that this is not always true. Attacks on Jewish cemeteries, subtle calls for uniformity and other incidents of intolerance indicate that we do not fully value the different cultures and traditions in our society. A “fair go” is not always universally applied.”…

…At the same time, we recognise and welcome the many expressions of cooperation and mutual acceptance to be found among cultural diverse New Zealanders. We are members of one human family, each created in the image of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks all languages, and embraces all cultures New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 2005

Racism and Discrimination The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to racist ideologies, which are based on a belief in the superiority of one ethnic group, or the inferiority or another. Racism still exists and continually reappears in different forms. It is a wound in humanity’s side that mysteriously remains open.” Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace

Inge Inge’s husband was proud of his official photograph of the visit of Pope John Paul II to New Zealand in 1986. Ron’s grave was among those desecrated in attacks on Wellington Jewish cemeteries in 2004. Inge says people need to be actively tolerant. “We always have to stand up and be sure that intolerance won’t be allowed in our country.”

Welcoming refugees and migrants Our Christian tradition invites us to “welcome the stranger” knowing that as we do so, we welcome Christ. “We believe that the majority of our citizens do not want to see refugees and migrants become society’s scapegoats. We are heartened by the support and solidarity towards newcomers that we observe.” New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 2002

Tara Tara notices that many migrant people sit around the edge of churches. “Some may say that’s just where they want to sit, but I don’t believe it. I think it’s quite telling.

Inculturation Inculturation describes how the Gospel is absorbed and reflected in the cultures who hear the Word of God “Just as the Word entered history and dwelt among us, his Gospel enters deeply into the life and culture of those who hear, listen and believe. Inculturation, the ‘incarnation” of the Gospel, affects the very way in which the Gospel is preached, understood and lived.” Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in Oceania, 2001

Suzanne Aubert Mother Suzanne Aubert emphasised the importance of Maori keeping their culture and customs. “Do not make a second-rate European out of him. Help him to be a good Maori, and a true Christian before all. But be sure to let him stay Maori.”

Ethnic inequalities Economic inequalities are not spread equally across society. Maori and Pacific Islanders are among those who fare worse than the general population in outcomes for health, living standards and education. 39 percent of Maori families, 42 percent of Pacific families and 22 percent of “other” families had low living standards, compared with 15 percent of European families. 2004 Social Report

“Some cultures are over-represented among the poor and vulnerable in our society. We are very concerned when assistance intended for those most in need is described as “privileging” those who receive it, or is attacked as showing cultural bias…A peaceful and harmonious society is the fruit of justice, not of false understandings of what constitutes equality.” New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 2005

Elisuluperiti Elisuluperiti’s family lived on less than $80 a week, even though she and her brother were New Zealand born and New Zealand citizens and her mother was legally in New Zealand. They were unable to receive any further assistance because of the two year benefit stand down for new migrants.

Social Justice week resources Parishes: • Social Justice series booklet • NZCBC statement • Posters • Prayer cards • Reflection/discussion outline • Liturgical resources, including material for children’s liturgy groups • Suggested speakers • Newsletter notices

Primary schools • Set of 4 posters and worksheets • Material for staff room prayers and staff meeting • School liturgy Secondary schools • CD rom including secondary school powerpoint presentation • Additional resources for teachers • Material for staff room prayers and staff meetings

Social Justice week activities

The obligation to accept and defend diversity belongs to the state and to groups themselves. Every individual, as a member of the human family, ought to understand and respect the value of human diversity and direct it to the common good. Pope John Paul II, 1989

In the presence of all peoples: Celebrating cultural diversity