1 Review of 2019 “One human family, one common home” Caritas Social Action Network is a member of Caritas Internationalis within the Caritas Europa group Contents 06 Introduction 08 Developing the network “Charity is not an idea or a pious feeling, 2 but an experiential encounter with 3 Christ, where we meet Him in the poor” 12 Pope Francis Advancing education, training, practice and formation 14 Offering a coherent Catholic voice in the public arena 16 Operating for the public benefit 2019 Annual Review Foreword by Bishop Terry Message from Phil McCarthy, Drainey, Chair of Caritas CEO Caritas Social Action Network Social Action Network Many Christian congregations in England & Wales, recognise well what it means to become an ‘ageing society’. Their older members generously continue to support even older neighbours to remain connected to their local communities, and on top of that are often the ‘glue’ enabling younger family members to hold down fragmented jobs in a 24/7 economy. Largely through the work of women, including the radical self-gift of as human beings. Despite the best efforts 4 religious sisters, the Catholic Church has of employers, many care staff find that the 5 long contributed to the provision of formal employment conditions offered by nearby The title of our 2019 review comes from the care in residential settings. supermarkets, for example, are preferable theme of the 21st General Assembly of Caritas to a frontline role in care. Internationalis which I attended in May of this With support from the bishops, Caritas year. The event was a powerful experience CSAN’s work has highlighted the need to Social Action Network has recently focused and an opportunity to meet representatives celebrate longer life, to re-imagine mutual on the safety net offering access to social from Caritas agencies around the world, often care that holds our society together locally, opportunities and good formal care in later carrying out their work in the face of danger and to ensure the welfare safety net realises life. CSAN has witnessed overall cutbacks and oppression. In England & Wales we face an adequate standard of living for all citizens, in services over the last ten years, including many challenges: alienation from institutions, regardless of age. Our work brings together effects of those cuts on Catholic-run provision inequality, erosion of community and, for many, evidence for the major decisions that need that is open to everyone, and reduced access a lack of hope. Despite these problems we are to be made to protect the basic human to care for a rising proportion of the poor. It fortunate to live in a relatively peaceful and rights of older people and to inform pastoral can seem that public policy has encouraged open society and we have much to be provision. I encourage you to support CSAN’s people to regard ageing as something to grateful for. be feared and treated rather than cheerfully ongoing mission to animate, co-ordinate and embraced, and care as a consumer product represent these concerns at national levels During 2019 Caritas Social Action Network rather than an expression of how we develop in England & Wales. has achieved much. I hope the report and the further information on our website give you a good insight into our work. I am grateful to our trustees, our staff team and volunteers, our supporters, funders and donors, and to the many colleagues who contribute so much to the network for those affected by poverty, vulnerability and marginalisation. Introduction Our vision We want England & Wales to be places where every person can flourish in their families and communities, living with peace and human dignity. We strive especially for the voices of the poor and wounded to be heard and acted upon. With Christian social action at its heart, CSAN will be an inclusive, effective and cohesive network of charities grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and Caritas dioceses in England & Wales. Our mission Caritas Social Action Network shares in the mission of the Catholic Church in England & Wales. We support and facilitate our network of social action charities and dioceses, 6 working in partnership with them to help poor, vulnerable and marginalised people find 7 their voice and to enable them to improve their lives. Team members During 2019 we were delighted to welcome our Office Manager Isabella George back from maternity leave and to be joined by Ged Edwards as our Officer for Network Development, on secondment from CAFOD. We were grateful to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales for an internship work placement in our team. • Phil McCarthy: Chief Executive Officer • Clive Chapman: Senior Officer for Mission and Advocacy • Elize Sakamoto: Officer for Education and Learning (part time) • Ged Edwards: Officer for Network Development (seconded from CAFOD from June 2019) • Isabella George: Office Manager (returned from maternity leave April 2019) • Sandra Lawman: Office Manager (covering Isabella George’s maternity leave) • Anna Geatrell: Projects Assistant (full time from February 2019) • Lucy Jordan: On work placement from the Bishops’ Conference’s Faith in Politics Internship Scheme (to July 2019) • Mary Gandy: Board Minutes Secretary We benefitted from the contributions of our volunteers. Andrew Haines who represents CSAN on Your Catholic Legacy, Miriam Onyeador and Philip Pinto who have provided support in our office and Alison Williams who has helped with our events. We are grateful to them all. We want England & Wales to be places where every person can flourish in their families and communities Developing the network During 2019 we welcomed the following new Caritas diocesan journey Community Sponsorship of for a family’s entire journey, from arrival members: Refugees through to settled independence, to ordinary In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI asked diocesan parish communities, led by a team of trained • Caritas Archdiocese of Cardiff which Bishops to establish in the Church entrusted Sean Ryan, National Caritas Community volunteers. Thanks to their commitment, works as a social action network to his care an Office to direct and coordinate Sponsorship Co-ordinator, writes: talents and experience over 300 refugees performing works of charity and the service of charity in his name. CSAN will receive a warm welcome, a new home, To mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees education aimed at fostering a spirit of supports this through our Caritas Diocesan intensive support and an opportunity to rebuild 2019, Pope Francis wrote: sharing and authentic charity across Journey programme. During 2019 the number their lives. Many parishioners describe this the Archdiocese. of dioceses with Caritas agencies increased “The presence of migrants and refugees is an unique work of mission as quite simply “the by two, to thirteen. best thing I have ever done”. • Caritas Diocese of Plymouth which invitation to recover some of those essential dimensions of our Christian existence and works with existing Catholic charities, Thanks to funding from the Albert Gubay By playing a lead role in this quiet revolution, our humanity that risk being overlooked in a schools and parishes to put the Charitable Foundation, CSAN was able to Caritas and the Catholic Church have not prosperous society. That is why it is not just Church’s social teaching into action offer small grants to support the development only been afforded a strong voice with 8 about migrants. When we show concern for 9 and provide a network in which good of Caritas diocesan agencies in nine dioceses. local and national government in the UK, them, we also show concern for ourselves, for practice can be shared and support By the end of 2019 there were 19 dioceses we have inspired more countries to adopt everyone”. provided. engaged in our Caritas Diocesan Journey similar schemes, including Germany, Ireland, programme. Our aspiration is for Caritas in all Spain, Holland, Australia, New Zealand • Catholic Disability Fellowship which Inspired by the success of private sponsorship 22 dioceses of England & Wales by 2022, ten and Argentina. It is hoped that the church’s seeks to help people with disabilities in Canada, and by the pioneering example years after Pope Benedict’s call. pioneering role in this uniquely effective to participate fully in the life and of St Monica’s in Salford Diocese, over 60 resettlement solution will enable us to help worship of the Church. Catholic parishes have answered the call Directors’ Forum of Pope Francis to sponsor, welcome and shape more humane policies that offer dignity, • St Elizabeth’s Centre which is the only resettle a refugee family. The Community hope and a future to all migrants and refugees national charity supporting children The Directors’ Forum meets two or three Sponsorship Scheme devolves responsibility and to change the narrative in our country and adults of all ages with epilepsy times a year. Its purpose is to develop, enrich to welcome. and other complex medical conditions, and support the network of charities and the severity of which impacts upon other members through networking, input their health, social, behavioural, into advocacy and policy, communications learning and emotional development. and events, faith foundation and strategy. It brings together Directors or CEOs of network • Together for the Common Good members. (T4CG) which works to strengthen the bonds of social trust, helping people across the churches play their part to rebuild a culture of mutual responsibility that overcomes division, and which puts the human person, community and relationships first. “The presence of migrants and refugees is an invitation to recover some of those essential dimensions of our Christian existence” Pope Francis Modern slavery and human Criminal Justice Caritas Internationalis and COMECE Social Affairs trafficking conference Caritas Europa Commission CSAN’s Criminal Justice Forum is chaired by CSAN held a major conference on Human Bishop Richard Moth who has responsibility Trafficking and Modern Slavery on 15th for prison chaplaincy within the Bishops’ Phil McCarthy writes: Phil McCarthy writes: October 2019.