The Catholic Weekly 16 January 2022

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 16, January, 2022 the ACBC sub- mission, signed by Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli, stated. “Overwhelm- ingly they do so in a spirit that re- spects the rights and liberties of others, and as Australian citi- zens, they expect in fairness that they will be accorded equal respect in the exercise of their rights to practice andmanifest their religious beliefs.” The National Catholic Ed- ucation Commission and Catholic Women’s League of- fered support for the bill, as did the peak bodies of other major religions: the Nation- al Imams Council, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, and Australian Christian Lob- by. St Vincent de Paul Society National President Claire Vic- tory told The Catholic Weekly that the society “does not at all see itself, nor does it seek to promote itself, as a body that holds views opposite to Religious freedom law will hurt: Vinnies EXPLAINER SVP National President Claire Victory. PHOTO: SOUTHERN CROSS I n this edition News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-11 8-9 17 20-21 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 Adam Wesselinoff (02) 9390 5400 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5217. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by Spotpress Pty Ltd, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204. DOWNLOAD THE OUR FAITH OUR WORKS APP Your one-stop location for Mass and Confession times, spiritual reflections and meditations, podcasts, local Catholic news, the Go Make Disciples mission plan, and much more. To download the app visit ourfaithourworks.org/app or scan the QR Code. Call Katie on (02) 9390 5402 www.catholicjobsonline.com. au New Year, New Job FROM P1 need to be protected,” the submission states. Regarding provisions in the proposed legislation to allow a religious organisation to prefer its own faithful when hiring staff, the St Vincent de Paul Society said current laws were sufficient for it to satisfy the “small number of volun- teer positions that must be filled by Catholics”. The St Vincent de Paul sub- mission is themost significant among the cohort of Catholic opposition to the bill, which also includes the Josephite Justice Network, Sacred Heart Mission and Concerned Catholics Tasmania Inc. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has endorsed the Religious Discrimination Bill and asso- ciated legislation as “positive and modest steps forward to limit religious discrimination in Australia”. “Most people who adhere to a religious belief exercise their religious freedom in the service of the common good,” AUSTRALIA CURRENTLY lacks religious discrimination protection at the Common- wealth level, in NSW and in South Australia (except for re- ligious dress). As the ACBC notes in its submission on the third draft of the bill, religious discrimi- nation is more common than onemight think, especially for those in minority faiths. Aside from high-profile cases like Israel Folau and Archbishop Julian Porteous, a recent study revealed that one in four children were discrim- inated against on religious grounds. The proposed laws there- fore “fill a serious gap in those that may be expressed from time to time by the ACBC”. The society’s submission was “not significantly at odds with the ACBC position on some positions [roles] in faith- based institutions holding responsi- bility for spiritual teaching and guiding every- day operational practices to align to the teachings of the church,” Victory said. “We hold this position for those positions [roles] within the Society as prescribed in the Rule. “Our submission is based on the Society’s experience and values, which are firmly anchored in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, not on other parties’ submissions. We have not made comment on these other parties’ sub- missions.” Victory told The Catholic Weekly that, “Being a voice to government on behalf of people who are living with disadvantage is core Catholic business; it’s what Jesus did and we should follow his ex- ample.” “So, when we speak up for those who are marginalised, we do so on behalf of our 60,000 members, volunteers and employees but also for the legions of Catholics who support our works and our advocacy and who, like us, see such efforts as a true and authentic expression of our Catholic faith.” The Religious Freedom Bill is currently before two sepa- rate inquiries; one by the Par- liamentary Joint Committee on Human rights, the other by the Senate Standing Com- mittee on Legal and Constitu- tional Affairs. Both inquiries will hold public hearings in coming weeks and are required to is- sue their reports by 4 Febru- ary. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference declined to comment further on the submission when contacted by The Catholic Weekly . MONICA DOUMIT P11 current legal protections in Australia against unjust dis- crimination”, according to Christian legal think tank Freedom for Faith. The bill prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, discrimination by qualifying bodies — like the Law Society or Royal Australian College of General Practitioners — and discrimination against those who “associate” with religious believers. It allows religious schools and other organisations to employ staff that support the ethos of that religion, as long as a publicly stated policy is available. The bill will also override provisions in Victorian law requiring schools to show that adherence to faith is an “in- herent requirement” of a role — a very strict test. The bill also permits servic- es to be offered solely tomem- bers of a certain faith — for instance, a Jewish aged care facility may admit only Jews to best serve their dietary and religious needs. In response to the case of Archbishop Porteous, mod- erate statements of belief will also be protected under the bill. Contrary to what oppo- nents of the bill maintain, vil- ification and harassment will not be made legal, and beliefs expressed must be “genu- ine”. Responding to the other main argument from LGBTI groups, the ACBC submission stated that “Catholic schools do not expel students or sack staff simply on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protect- ed status.” The so-called “Folau clause”, which would make it discriminatory to sack some- one for statements of belief made outside of work, did not make it into the third draft of the bill. The bill is currently before two parliamentary inquiries which are due to report on 4 February. - ADAMWESSELINOFF