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In responding to the Gospel and inspired by the spirit of Edmund Rice, the Christian Brothers support a diverse range of ministries throughout Oceania as part of their social justice mission. These ministries range over work with Indigenous people and across initiatives in justice, advocacy, eco-spirituality and work with young people on the margins of society.

Our Purpose

The purpose of Edmund Rice Oceania Ministries is to ensure that ministries are governed and supported so as to carry out their mission effectively within the overall mission of the Oceania Province. The new structure is designed so that new ministries can emerge and ministries are supported - particularly those in developing nations. Promoting an Indigenous perspective and networking with similar ministries will be an important aspect of the work of this team. One of the hopes would be that this new structure facilitates partnerships between ministries and other organizations that are engaged in work with those at the edge.

An early task for the Ministries team and the Oceania Leadership Team will be to review all ministries with a view to developing an Oceania perspective. This review will assist in identifying ministries’ support and governance needs, as well as the possibilities that exist for networking and support between ministries. The review will also contribute to the process of clarifying and developing unifying policies to apply for Oceania.

Underpinning the review will be the recognition that ministry work takes place at the local level and it is important that the Oceania structure not only recognises, but is attentive to this, in the way it establishes roles. For example, we see our work with Indigenous people as a priority in our mission and since its effectiveness is enhanced by interaction with local Indigenous communities, our orientation at Oceania is to provide the type of support that assists this level of connection. We are also aware of the range of Indigenous people with whom we need to connect throughout Oceania and this involves a combination of skill sharing as well as sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity.

Our work in ministry has captured the hearts and minds of many who are inspired by a prophetic call to justice and to the margins and we want to maximise this spirit in our new structure. The role Oceania plays in this is to ensure that governance and support is well thought out, organised, and makes a difference to the lives of those we seek to serve.

Visit our Ministry Sites

View the lists of Ministries, Centres and other Edmund Rice Establishments by State: