PRESS RELEASE
2 MARCH 2006
BISHOPS’ COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
HOSTS CONFERENCE –
THE COMMON GOOD IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD
“The social teaching of the Church is an essential part of the Christian message.
At the same time we realise that we live in a broken world” – Bishop Raymond Field
The Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs (ICJSA), a commission of the
Irish Bishops’ Conference, today hosted a conference on the Compendium of the Social
Doctrine of the Church. The day long conference was held in Croke Park, Dublin.
The conference was opened by the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland,
Dr Seán Brady. The Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, Dr Diarmuid Martin,
addressed the conference on the theme of: “A shared humanism based on solidarity:
principles for reflection, criteria for judgement and guidelines for action”.
International speakers at the event included Cardinal Renato Martino, President of
the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace who spoke on the theme: “Towards a
civilisation of love: the challenge of Catholic Doctrine today”. Lord Chris Patten
of Barnes spoke on: “The complex events that mark our time: the Compendium as an
instrument of social and political discernment in a global context.”
An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern TD, spoke on the contribution of Catholic social
teaching to Irish life. Mrs Nuala O’Loan, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland,
addressed the conference on: “The privatization of public morality; the Compendium
on religious belief and public life.”
In thanking the speakers for their time and excellent contributions, the Chair of the
ICJSA and organiser of the event, Bishop Raymond Field, said: “The Church’s social
doctrine calls above all on lay Christians everywhere to live in a society as a witness
to Jesus Christ and to the Good News proclaimed in the Gospels. Our objective today
is twofold: firstly, to raise awareness of and to promote the social doctrine of the
Church. It is in that context that, secondly, we wish to facilitate and encourage
a conversation around many of the social issues which challenge us both nationally
and internationally.”
Notes for Editors
* The ICJSA is chaired by Bishop Raymond Field and its role is to support the Bishops’
Conference in promoting the social teaching of the Church and advising on issues of
social concern both nationally and internationally.
* Part of the conference included a questions and answers session chaired by Dr John
Bowman.
The full list of speakers at today’s ICJSA conference follows:
* Cardinal Renato Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace
* Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Dr Seán Brady
* Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, Dr Diarmuid Martin
* An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern Td
* Lord Chris Patten of Barnes;
* Ms Sylvia Thompson, Chair of the Kerry Diocesan Justice, Peace &
Creation Committee;
* Professor Ray Kinsella, University College Dublin
* Ms Nuala O’Loan, Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland;
* Mr David Begg, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions;
* Sr Joan Roddy, Director of the Refugee and Migrant Project of the
Irish Bishops’ Conference;
* Ms Deirdre Carroll, Chief Executive of Inclusion Ireland, National
Association for People with an Intellectual Disability;
* Professor William Binchy, Trinity College, Dublin.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church published by Veritas
and is available in Veritas Bookshops price €18.95
* A report on the conference, the texts from speakers and
photographs are available at www.catholicjustice.ie
Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
