A Refreshed Dialogue for the Loreto Justice Network
For some years, the Loreto Justice Network (LJN) has committed to and remained focused on five Justice Priorities: The Reality of Human Trafficking, The Rights of First Nations Peoples, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Ecological Justice and the Rights of Women and Children. New membership of the LJN this year, including representatives from Timor-Leste and Vietnam, has led the members to consider how we might give a renewed set of purpose, life, profile and impact to the LJN in the next year.
This year, the international leadership of the Sisters has called on all members of the Loreto global family to focus on ecological projects marking the Bicentenary Jubilee of the founding of the Irish branch of the Loreto Sisters. They have further called on us to action Laudato Si and respond to Pope Francis’ challenge of “new dialogue on … shaping the future of our planet” (LS 14).
In early April, members of the LJN travelled to Portland for a planning meeting where we reaffirmed our goal of connecting and engaging with the Sisters, colleagues, ministries, and schools around the issues of justice and action responses. Members also participated in a cultural immersion at the Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area in Budj Bim, owned by the Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation. During the experience, they listened to the story of the First Nations people and visited the aquaculture complex, now listed as an area of outstanding universal value on the World Heritage register.
It became clear to the members present that we need to use an integrated ecology lens, inspired by Laudato Si and the culture and voices of our First Nations people, to capture and refocus our priorities. This is a focus on humanity and the planet as inseparable, interconnected and integrated entities. Central to what the Loreto Justice Network does is collaboration, particularly with Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA), the UN Office and the International Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) office.
The LJN commits to education, communication, action, and advocacy. Throughout National Reconciliation Week and in the lead up to World Environment Day, we relaunched with a new logo, a re-designed website and a clearer vision of our priorities. The new website is designed to be interactive, and the Action Centres for each area of focus provide ideas for action and advocacy. We also remain committed to supporting the Mary Ward Justice Lectures, that some schools organise each year, which highlight Loreto concerns for justice.
Author: Andreia Wigan, Coordinator, Loreto Justice Network