Today at the meeting of the Order's Justice and Peace Secretariat, I learnt something new. It was that Augustine stood as the Defender of the Rights of the Poor before the Roman Emperor of the day. He did this despite all opposition, even from his own fellow bishops.
As this Defender, he went to the Emperor to tell him what he was not doing to fulfill his role as Emperor for all. This call falls to us as well - to not only respond to the needs of the poor and marginalised but to also stand up for their rights before government and society.
There is an Augustinian group in Philadelphia called Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor - A DROP. It says it all about our role in mission in responding to the gospel call to care for the poor.
I am John Murray, an Australian, Catholic priest of the Order of St Augustine. I live and work in Thailand and have been here since October 2005. I have many stories from my life journey and would simply like to share some of them. So hope you enjoy and go away sometime with a smile or a helpful little insight.
We gather
to give thanks for my 25 years.
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