Social services, international aid, health and aged care were on the agenda for the annual meeting of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service.

The commission met with its two advisory councils, plus heads of agencies, at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

This years’ gathering marked a special occasion for commission bishops to welcome many new members to the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council and the Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations.

They were joined by the heads of Caritas Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, Catholic Health Australia and Stella Maris Australia.

Participants considered strategic priorities of the commission for the next three years under a wide-ranging agenda.

The commission has responsibility for setting priorities, in consultation with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, that promote the life and mission of the Church in Australia in a broad range of areas.

These areas include Catholic social teaching and social justice, international aid, integral ecology, health and aged care, marginalised and disadvantaged, social services, people with disability and specialist pastoral ministries including prisons and seafaring.

In reflecting on the success of the gathering, commission chair Bishop Tim Harris said: “The commission meeting went beyond expectations.”

“We had a privileged opportunity to meet with many key people associated with the commission all of whom were single-minded in their resolve to share the Good News of Jesus in a world in desperate need of the hope and joy that only Christ can give,” he said.

“The bishops and the commission are well served by such dedicated men and women.”

The gathering culminated in Mass in the Mary MacKillop Chapel, celebrated by the commission bishops.

The commission councils will meet regularly during the year to develop national policies and support advocacy on key issues.

(Image of meeting participants courtesy of Greg Baynie)