Sydney (Fides Service) - Education, health, social services and development for all. Equal opportunities for all citizens no matter where they live. This is the request launched by Father Peter Norden SJ director of the Jesuit Office for Social Services, during “National anti-poverty Week”.
In a contribution sent to Fides, Fr. Norden warned that in some regions of Australia poverty is growing: “We have clear evidence that there are areas of rural and regional Victoria that are becoming entrenched in poverty and disadvantage that may become permanent features of the landscape”. A recent Jesuit report on locational disadvantage, identified characteristics of local communities faced with severe social disadvantage that could be promoted to build great social cohesion rather than social exclusion. He said the situation demands a substantial public policy response..
“Social exclusion breeds social alienation and unless this is addressed in regional public policy decisions, Australians will continue to observe increased instances of child abuse and neglect, mental heath disorders, youth suicide, substance misuse and breaches of the criminal law” he explained.
Father Norden said disadvantaged communities do not lack potential if they are given the proper opportunities for development. “Equal opportunities for growth are a fundamental aspect of democracy. One’s destiny cannot depend on where one lives” the priest said.
Poverty and social exclusion in Australia affect mainly the Aborigine communities. In some areas 45% of the Aborigine labour force is unemployed. An Aborigine family has 20 times more chance of being without a roof over its head than a non-Aborigine family.
On the occasion of the recent political elections the Church in Australia underlined problems of social justice. Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome diocese, also chairman of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, drew attention to the needs of poor and disadvantaged groups calling for transparency and intervention in decisive areas: educaiton, health care, family, environment.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2004 righe 33 parole 344)