anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Modern Slavery

Video The Very Rev'd Dr Peter Catt Video

St John’s Cathedral community shining a light on modern slavery

“The Anglican Church was part of a very broad coalition in Australia that called for the introduction of modern slavery laws, so the Public Affairs Commission of our Church put in submissions, as did the Social Responsibilities Committee. Those laws now require us to examine the products that we buy, making sure we understand where they come from, ensure that we are not complicit in the practice of modern slavery; we can ensure that things that are hidden in darkness can be brought into the light,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

An anti-slavery bill was put before British Parliament in 1791, but was defeated. Attention then turned to other methods, and the Saccharist movement was born. This was a boycott against all sugar produced on slave plantations in the West Indies, intended to undermine the economic case for slavery. Christian woman Elizabeth Heyrick (pictured) canvassed large areas of Leicester and promoted a boycott of West Indian sugar (Image sourced from alchetron.com/Elizabeth-Heyrick)
Justice & Advocacy

Why 18th century Christians refused sugar

“Few subject to the modern slave trade are able to liberate themselves in the way the Haitians did in 1791. Most will only taste freedom if we intervene to change the system that binds them. They need people of good will to emulate the sugar-refusing activists of the 18th century,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

Films & TV

The Defenders

“There’s a lot to admire in The Defenders — in terms of its technical craft, efficient handling of narrative and broader message about people power and challenging the status quo — and it should be an essential part of any curriculum aimed at teaching people about social justice campaigning,” says Ben Rogers

Resources & Research

Fair for people, fair for planet: resources for Fairtrade Fortnight 2023

“Fairtrade makes sense. If you’re struggling to feed your family, then planting trees and farming sustainably won’t be your top priorities. By supporting farmers and their communities by buying Fairtrade, your purchasing choices help to fix the problem of poverty so that everything else, including a more sustainable environment, follows,” says John Martin from Resource Church The Parish of Robina

Justice & Advocacy

Human trafficking

“As ordinary people living ordinary lives…we are part of the worldwide network of consumers who buy the products and services that make money for human traffickers. It is our responsibility as people who are called to love our neighbours to educate ourselves about where we are spending our money,” says The Rev’d Dr Ann Solari from St John’s Cathedral

Justice & Advocacy

Give the gift that gives twice this Christmas

“Gift-giving is a popular Christmas tradition around the world, dating back to the three wise men who followed a star to the site of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem…As a keen supporter of Fair Trade products, I especially enjoy giving Fair Trade gifts to loved ones at Christmas because these gifts give twice,” says John Martin from The Parish of Robina