Amid the distressing news that confronts us daily on social media, it is becoming evident that a seismic shift is occurring in the world order. Alliances are being formed between nations disaffected by democracy and its seeming imposition on their politics. What is driving such a move and what will be its implications for the way things will be done in the future? Disturbing as this is for our world, it seems to reflect a growing discontent for the way people are being treated in our society and how they are viewing the world from their lived reality. When people become disillusioned with their lot, there can be a natural progression to seeking out other people who share their cynicism of the current system and look to blame society for what is unfolding. What is even more disturbing as such groups gain traction is their need to project their discontent onto a societal scapegoat. Who can be blamed for the injustices that are becoming more prevalent in society? The widening gap created by a minority of extremely wealthy people having influence over the larger political and societal system is a cause for deeper reflection on the part of our Religious Institutes and Church.

Recently the Australian Bishops released their Social Justice Statement for2025–2026 entitled "Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving People Living in Homelessness and Mental Ill-Health". Released in August 2025, the statement addresses the growing crisis of homelessness in Australia, highlighting the intersection of housing insecurity and mental illness. It calls for compassion, friendship, and practical actions like increased affordable housing and integrated mental health services to support those on the societal margins.

In the Forword to the statement Archbishop Tim Costelloe SDB, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference states :

In the last few years, Australians have been living through a cost-of-living crisis. The cost of many goods and services has increased dramatically - including housing mortgages and rent.

Many have struggled to cope under the pressure; and one of the worrying results of this crisis is an increasing number of Australians finding themselves relying on friends or family giving them a roof over their head or, even worse, sleeping on the streets.

When society can no longer provide food, shelter and employment to its citizens then the seeds of discontent can easily fester leading to a widening gap of inequality and the fuelling of resentment between the haves and the have nots. It is in times of such disturbance that people look for a way to change the social order and it is no surprise that nationalist groups emerge out of the shadows to blame and shame others, making them victims of their discontent. This projection of disillusionment onto such areas as migration, sexual diversity and specific nationalities as the root causes of social inequality does not take long to fester into group rallies, hateful speech and the ultimate – violence against others. People gravitate to places where their discontent is given a voice. What then can be a response by Religious Institutes in this social upheaval that is becoming more pronounced and more visible nowadays?

The Bishops Statement reminds us :

Pope Francis encouraged us to embrace a culture of encounter as we seek to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. In the preparation of the Social Justice Statement, we, too, emphasise the importance of encounter as an essential element in our efforts to carry out our mission today.

So often our consecrated religious are bearers of the injustices felt by those with whom they come in contact on a daily basis. Be that in visitations to shut-ins, support to homeless shelters and food banks, interfacing through St Vincent DePaul society visits, it is here that the face of the suffering and wounded Christ is encountered. We are being asked to be messengers of hope to people who have given up on hope and have fallen into the darkness of cynicism and blame of a system that is letting them down. Through encounter, sparks of hope can be ignited.

Our place in society asks of us to provide another way, The Way of the Gospel, which sees each human as a person with dignity and given the respect they deserve. To stand firm against injustice requires us to go deeper into the social malady and to find out the cause of its origin.

As consecrated Religious, we are given the prophetic voice to address the injustices and work for social change that brings about greater equality and compassion for those suffering in our society.