Fair play in sport and society: Archbishop kicks off on ‘a level playing field’

Positive values on the sporting field – fairness, an equal chance of success, unbiased
refereeing – are equally important in society, says Catholic Archbishop John Dew in
'kicking off' the Catholic Church's annual Social Justice Week.
 
As Social Justice Week (11-17 September) falls this year in the first week of Rugby
World Cup competition, Catholic social justice agency Caritas has focused on the
theme 'On a level playing field' to examine issues of fairness and the common good
in the light of Catholic social teaching.
 
Archbishop John Dew says the vision of all people living as a human family in fullness
of life is one that becomes more difficult to achieve in an unequal society, and in a
world marked by extremes of wealth and poverty.
 
"As sports spectators, we will be looking over coming weeks to see that regardless of
who wins the Rugby World Cup, it will be a fair competition.  We expect rules to be
agreed on and enforced by unbiased referees.  We expect that sports grounds will
allow for an equal chance of success – for example that one side won't be playing
up-hill or kicking into the wind for the whole match."
 
Archbishop John Dew said it was time to blow the whistle on inequality.  "It would be
great if New Zealanders put as much enthusiasm and effort into ensuring we have a
fair society, as we do into cheering for success on the sporting field.
  
"New Zealand has been a world leader in the growth of inequality, and this leaves
people on the fringes of society whose life isn't as good as human life should be. 
Luke's Gospel talks about compassion for the poor.  People who follow the Gospel
are obliged to reduce inequality and poverty in our society."
 
On behalf of the Bishops, Caritas has prepared resources for parishes, schools and
the wider community to help reflection on the theme: 'On a level playing field'. 
Caritas is also launching a blog site 'Level with me – Who's the FAIRest of them all?".
It will offer a rough guide to the relative social equality/inequality of the 20 nations
competing in the World Cup, and the opportunity to explore and debate the issues. 
It will be available at www.socialjusticeweek.org.nz or through the Caritas website
from Wednesday 7 September.
 
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Archbishop John will kick off Social Justice Week with a pep
talk for a group of students from St Patrick's and St Catherine's Colleges at the St
Catherine's school gymnasium on Wednesday 7 September at 3.30pm.  As Head
Coach for the Catholic team, he will be urging them to keep their eyes on the ball,
in working together to achieve the goal of a fair and just society.
 
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a
confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in
over 200 countries and territories.