Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - To celebrate the Day of Social Justice, 25 September, and inaugurate the campaign for the year 2016-2017 with one central theme: the life of the elderly. This is the initiative of the Council for Social Justice in the Australian Bishops' Conference which, as reported to Fides, has announced the title of the upcoming campaign: "A Place at the table: Social Justice in an aging society".

In the statement of intent, accompanied by a letter of Mgr. Dennis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Australian Bishops celebrate the value, dignity and the significant contribution of older people in the community. In the text sent to Fides, the Bishops note how the most vulnerable members of society "should be protected from the experience of poverty, isolation, abuse or any circumstances in which they are considered a burden to the family or society".

The statement - sent to parishes, Catholic schools and universities, religious congregations and associations - invites the Catholic community, politicians, citizens young and old, to favor an approach towards the elderly based on mercy and love, "in which each person can take their rightful place at the table". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/07/2016)