Australian Catholic Bishops call for culture of encounter to combat social division

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released its 2026 Social Justice Statement, titled "Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division." Launched in Brisbane, the statement calls for the development of a "culture of encounter" to combat rising social polarization, hatred, and racism.

Bishop Tim Harris, chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, noted that increasing instances of abusive behavior and incendiary language threaten community bonds. He cited the December 2025 Bondi massacre and the targeting of Muslims, migrants, refugees, and Indigenous Australians as evidence of the human cost of division. Harris emphasized that "Love is not only a word or a feeling. Love is action," urging citizens to build bridges of understanding and offer forgiveness.

ACBC president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe stated that choosing hospitality and solidarity over vilification can help create conditions for a more peaceful society. The bishops also identified social media algorithms as a significant driver of polarization, warning that they reinforce existing anxieties and spread misinformation rapidly.