Addressing social justice and ethical questions has been one of the primary tasks of the Catholic Women's League since it was founded. We seek to influence legislative and administrative bodies at all levels of government in order to preserve the dignity of the human person. The League also actively promotes a culture of life.
In 1975, our Social Questions Committee received a mandate from Archbishop Sir Frank Little to promote Catholic social teachings and advise on issues where these teachings are challenged and, to initiate action if necessary. As such, we monitor the tendencies and movements in our society, and evaluate them in light of the social teachings of the Church.
Our members engage in debate and action about issues such as poverty, gambling, prostitution, and the trafficking of women and children. We also create awareness about contemporary concerns including violence against women and children, surrogacy, substance abuse, violent computer games, advertising standards, euthanasia, the sexualisation of girls in the media, the recognition of women in the unpaid workforce, same-sex marriage, abortion, Gendercide, post abortion trauma, pornography and reproductive technology.
The Social Questions Committee is represented on the Family Council of Victoria and the Life Coalition.
At the 24th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council of the Laity, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged lay people to actively participate in political life in a manner coherent with the teachings of the Church. The Holy Father said 'there is a need for authentically Christian politicians but, even more so, for lay faithful who bear the witness to Christ and the Gospel in the civil and political community.'
The Social Questions Committee welcomes the participation of any League member.
Today as the Church sets out again on her journey to proclaim Christ to the world, she needs women who contemplate the face of Christ, who keep their gaze fixed on him and recognize him in the weakest members of his Body. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). Keep watch, be an attentive and strong presence, never fail to look to Christ, follow him, keep his words in your hearts. In this way, your hope will not fail; it will spread throughout the world at this promising and challenging time.
Blessed John Paul II, Message to the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations, 7 March 2001
Video: The Miracle of Life
Take a few minutes to watch The Miracle of Life which shows how amazing and wonderful the gift of life is that God has blessed us with. Through incredible ultrasound video and photos, you can actually see this miracle as you watch a baby develop in the womb.