Lancaster Faith & Justice Commission Parish News Bulletin November 2020 Email: [email protected] Website:www.lancasterfaithandjustice.co.uk St Bernadette’s Parish House, Bowerham Road, Lancaster LA1 4HT
Inspiring, provoking resources for parishes and schools at https://theecg.org/resources/
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been ratified by the required 50 states and will come into force on 22 January 2021. Hosted by Parliamentary CND, join our webinar to discuss how to advance this issue within parliament and civil society - to ensure that we move towards UK ratification. Co-chaired by Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party and Kirsten Oswald MP, Scottish National Party. Speakers include Ambassador Alexander Kmentt from Austria who was part of the initiative to develop the Treaty, Kate Hudson from CND, and Ambassador Barbara Alvarez from Cuba - a state party to the TPNW. Date: Thursday 12th November Time: 11:00 – 12 noon Register: Here Early Day Motion: Working with our partners in Parliament, CND is lobbying the British government to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and work towards the global elimination of
nuclear weapons. Ask your MP to sign EDM1072 here.
Peace Sunday 17 January 2021: A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace www.paxchristi.org.uk
This issue includes : P.2 Modern Slavery: How the churches can help; Tip of the Iceberg P.3 Global link-a warm welcoming safe place; Solving a problem P.4 Are we all seeking sanctuary? P.6 Investment for a Green Recovery; Responsible Investment Bill P.7 IICSA Report; Living Wage for Careworkers Charter P.8 One year to COP 26-but what exactly is it? P.9 Report Your Planet and Your Parish -Living Laudato Si’ weekend at Boarbank; P.10 Faith for the Climate; Climate Coalition Green Recovery Plan P.11 CAFOD Report Plus more information , resources , events and opportunities to respond
1 Modern Slavery: how the Churches can help Churches Together in Cumbria and the Cumbria Police have organized two training sessions planned on-line through Zoom. The training is free and will be given by the Clewer Initiative. The Clewer Initiative helps church communities to respond to modern slavery by raising awareness in their communities and providing support and care to the victims. This training is designed for our church audience, although it can be used more widely. The Train the Trainer sessions will use material prepared by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), to enable participants to inform and raise awareness in their own parish or community. It will be delivered in two sessions, entitled‘ Trafficking Awareness’ and ‘Spotting the Signs’ it covers the definition of modern slavery, the Modern Slavery Act, the common hallmarks of modern slavery in the UK, and what you should do if you encounter it. It is a Train the Trainer course, so anyone who undertakes it should be able to deliver it themselves in their own community. Session 1: 4:00pm - 6:00pm Monday 16th November 2020 Session 2 4:00pm - 6:00pm Monday 23rd November 2020 In addition the sessions will look at the other resources which are on offer from the Clewer Initiative including; If you would like to participate please contact Shelagh Goldie • Safe Car Wash app at: [email protected] • Homelessness Please circulate the information as you think appropriate. • Hidden Voices • Rural toolkit • School Resources etc
The tip of the iceberg?
On 19th October 2020, the Home Office published itsannual report on modern slavery, outlining the scale of modern slavery in the UK and how the UK has responded to this threat over the last 12 months. It acknowledges the ongoing challenge of ascertaining the exact number of people trapped in modern slavery. Nevertheless, the available data and analysis makes sobering reading. For example, the number of NRM (National Referral Mechanism) referrals has increased by 52 per cent from 6,986 referrals in 2018 to 10,627 in 2019. While this is not a good estimate of overall prevalence, it does provide a snapshot of known victims and reveals, again, year-on-year growth. Similarly, if you consider Police Recorded Crime, it shows a substantial rise. In the year to March 2020, there were 7,779 modern slavery crimes recorded by the police, a 59 per cent increase from 4,897 in the year to March 2019. The force recording most modern slavery crimes was the Metropolitan Police, accounting for 30 per cent (2,334) of all crimes. This was followed by West Midlands Police and West Yorkshire Police. The figures exclude Greater Manchester Police, who were unable to supply data due to the implementation of a new IT system. In the last year, there has also been an increase in case referrals to the CPS, including cases referred for early investigative advice, which have resulted in charges being made. In total, 322 defendants investigated for modern slavery offences were referred by the police and a legal decision was provided during 2019, of which 239 defendants were charged by the CPS. While the number of victims in the NRM or cases referred to the CPS are just the tip of the iceberg, they are a good indicator and suggest that modern slavery is growing in scale. The report explains the Home Office’s strategy of Pursue, Prevent, Protect and its commitment to victim identification and support and responding internationally to modern slavery and encouraging upstream prevention. It is important reading for anyone interested in fighting modern slavery but sadly shows there is still a long way to go.
Download report https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/927111/FINAL-_2020_Modern_Slavery_Report_14-10-20.pdf
2
http://www.globallink.org.uk/
Global Link are seeking to raise the deposit to buy a building, where they can run educational classes, or health and wellbeing workshops, deliver their information and support services, the Sewing Circle and a 'store' for free clothes and household items. Where they could run a food club, and where refugees could run their own activities, like art classes or a craft market. Where, when things open again, resume the Lunch Drop in, have leisure activities, or just a space to relax and meet other people. The building they are looking at is the Britannia Pub on Ullswater Road, and deposit target was £75,000 (with a view to then getting a loan from the Charities Aid Foundation). In the weeks since its launch the fundraising appeal has raised £47,000, so it is definitely possible!
Donate at: http://www.globallink.org.uk/NewHome.php Asylum seekers and refugees have described Global Link as a 'second home'. We know that Global Link is greatly appreciated, and even loved, by asylum seekers and refugees in the District As one refugee commented "I am not happy when I came to here ..Now I say it for everyone, if a new asylum seeker comes through the door I tell them 'you are very lucky to be in Lancaster', because I know what support you will get Here you can see two videos about our work with refugees and asylum seekers. This one focusses on our Lunch Drop in this one on all of our work We have a vision of a long-term space in Lancaster where refugees and asylum seekers can feel welcome, supported and safe, where they can meet local people, and where they can access support, information and advice to enable them to reach their potential in the UK. We need to raise £75,000 to help us fund such a space. Local agencies have observed that Lancaster would be much worse off without the hub of Global Link- a place for asylum seekers and refugees to get support and a place for socialising - and that there would be more isolation, homelessness, and mental health problems among asylum seekers and refugees We want to provide that warm and welcoming hub, a place where we can develop more support services, more educational and integration activities, more spaces for socialising and relaxing, more spaces for arts and physical activity, more spaces to find health and healing. Your donation will help us make this vision a reality by donating HERE If you would prefer to donate by BACs, please contact us on 01524 36201, and if you would prefer to pay by cheque, please send it to Global Link, YMCA, New Road, Lancaster
St Wilfrid’s Parish Preston solving a problem
A Coleman Shelter has now been purchased by the parish and is in place, in front of the garage, in the church courtyard. This is for use as a Lobby by parishioners before and after Mass when the weather is inclement and/or when social distancing cannot be maintained in the Narthex; for use by the Tuesday evening food Drop-In for the homeless; for use by Metanoia Project at their Wednesday evening weekly clothes Drop-In.
3
ARE WE ALL SEEKING SANCTUARY ?
Just as new lock-downs are being announced, it feels as if many of us are having to find ways of living with the Covid pandemic. These often involve making difficult sacrifices and discovering ways of dealing with so many types of loss and bereavement. Just as our lives are turned upside down we might find a glimpse of what it feels like to suffer the losses and traumas faced by refugees seeking sanctuary. And for many refu- gees, particularly those awaiting decisions on their claim, life is particularly challenging. The recently- announced 3p per week increase in the asylum seeker subsistence allowance is nothing less than an insult. The weekly amount is now to be £39.63; 14 years ago it was £40.22. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE in this month of November, at a time when the thoughts of many turn to remembering loved ones who have died, our thoughts this month are dominated by the tragic deaths of refugees trying to cross the Channel in dangerous conditions. First we heard of a corpse found on the beach at Sangatte near Calais on Sunday 18 October. Initially known only as 'BB' the deceased was eventually identified as Behzad Bagheri-Parvin, an Ira- nian due to celebrate his 32nd birthday on 12 November. And on Tuesday 27 October there was the tragic drowning of a family of five (pictured here) of Kurdish/ Iranian origin from the city of Sardasht in western Iran, near the border with Iraq. Rasoul Iran-Nejad, 35, his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, 35 and their children Anita, nine, and Armin, six, were crossing from France to the UK in an overcrowded small boat that set off into rough seas and soon capsized in the Dunkirk Chan- nel. The body of their younger son, 15-month-old Artin, is yet to be recovered, as are those of two additional adults thought to have been on the boat. The Bishop of Dover, Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, spoke for many when she said: 'My heart is full of sad- ness. We cannot stand by while those who seek refuge and safety are dying at the hands of those who ex- ploit them and their hope. Children and their families are being washed away just miles from our shores. We must do more to help our fellow sisters, brothers, sons and daughters seek safe haven and be offered the same chances to live their lives as we do, with peace and love.' HONOURING THE DEAD At Seeking Sanctuary, our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. Like others, we have pledged to lay flowers at the memorial on the Dover seafront after every death of this nature. After the intolerant words of the Home Secretary we were grateful that our simple act of remembrance was filmed for the BBC and ITV news programmes, and our simple act of humanity was also covered by other media outlets. On the evening of 30 October, Kent Action Against Racism organised a candlelit vigil which drew over 50 people to the me- morial on the seafront at Dover – a true action of solidarity. (See photo and video in press reports.) We can- not imagine the desperation which leads parents to make such agonising choices about their family's future. In response to the so called 'words of sympathy' from official sources we have a simple message – forget walls and fences and security guards and instead devise ways for people to apply for asylum in the UK in safe and legal ways, and so prevent these tragedies at source. And, by the way, despite the sympathy of many individuals it's wrong to see France as a safe country – certainly not when the State ensures that riot police harass refugees every day and bar their access to the most basic amenities from the moment that they come across a spot in Calais where they might find shelter and rest. You will be aware that the costs of a dignified and respectful funeral cannot usually be met by the family concerned. Our colleagues in Calais – Secours Catholique – have made an appeal to initially cover funeral costs for BB who was laid to rest in Calais on Tuesday 27 October. The sum that needs to be found is €2130. At the end of this update you will find details of the account in France to which money can be transferred: if this is too complicated, Ben will be happy to receive your donation for conversion to euros and transmission to France. His account details are also shown below. Continue on page
4 ACCOMMODATION IN KENT The British Army has used land at Shorncliffe near Folkestone since 1794. with the permanent barracks buildings dating from 1890. In 1803, Sir John Moore trained the first Light Infantry Division at Shorncliffe to fight in the Napoleonic Wars. His 'Shorncliffe System' yielded military methods from which the modern British Army developed. In the twentieth century it was a vital staging post for troops gathering for service on the continent in the two World Wars. Three recipients of the Victoria Cross are buried in the nearby cemetery. Large parts of the site have been prepared for sale to civilian developers over the past twenty years and there are no longer any significant numbers of active military staff living there. Other units come for temporary stays when training. One set of buildings, Napier Barracks, is now housing asylum seekers while their claims are assessed. These are young men previously placed in some of the 90+ hotels used as contingency accommodation this year. The eventual capacity will be up to 400. Within a couple of weeks of the first refugees arriving, ugly scenes started at a result of anti-migrant demonstrators visiting daily outside the gates. As a consequence various local groups decided to demonstrate a more friendly stance. An hour's 'Welcome Event' held outside the barracks on Saturday 17 October attracted more than 300 supporters. There were heart-warming placards and banners on display, and many chants, songs and cheers sounded out to welcome the newcomers, who also showed up in the barracks courtyard with their own messages in response. Despite the wire fence surrounding the site, all were connected by their common humanity, and even with mask wearing and attempts at social distancing, the mood was one of pure celebration and solidarity. (See here and here.) A strong police presence kept a few dozen protestors some distance away until the welcome party broke up. A message was received, saying: 'I am a resident of Napier Barracks, and I felt very satisfied with everyone who came to welcome us. You broke the barrier of fear and anxiety that we had. You made us feel welcome in your beautiful town. Thank you all from the bottom of the heart.' In the outside communities a number of local initiatives are getting started at gathering supplies for the asylum seekers. As the season changes, bedding very much appreciated and there are repeated requests for toilet paper. The government logistics and procurement operations seem to be as haphazard here as they have been in some of the efforts to counter the Covid pandemic. Because meals are provided the unit has been classed as “full board” and no allowance is provided for the cost of essential sundries such toiletries, hand sanitiser, non-prescription medicines, phone calls and bus fares, despite demands to keep in touch with solicitors and travel to the checks and interviews that are part of the asylum system. But there is good news! After a long legal battle, refugee charities were told at the end of October that payments of £3 per week for clothing will be made (backdated to March) and £4.70 per week for travel needs (backdated to July), in light of Covid restrictions that were in place before that. CRITICAL REPORT The Red Cross points out that military premises are totally inappropriate for housing many asylum seekers, who have fled unimaginable horrors, including conflict, persecution, and imprisonment in their home countries. Poor communication during transfers to Shorncliffe led to many to panic, believing that they were being readied for deportation. Others fear that the 200-year-old and run-down buildings, vacant for a number of years, are unsuited to Covid-proof life, with up to 14 beds per room separated into 'cubicles' by hanging sheets and only one leaky toilet per 100 residents. (Was refurbishment left incomplete due to pressure to reduce the use of hotels?) A confirmed case of Covid has left many residents literally confined to barracks. With our appreciation of your continued concern, Phil & Ben. BANK DETAILS FOR FUNERAL DONATIONS Secours Catholique Account name “Sécours Catholique, Délégation du Pas de Calais” Bank: Société Générale Account number: 30003 01678 00050014638 50 Swift Code: SOGEFRPP IBAN: FR76 3000 3016 7800 0500 1463 850 Ben Bano Account name: B W Bano, Bank: Halifax Sort code:11 02 32, Account Number: 00490105 Reference: Calais Funeral Follow us on Twitter 'Seeking Sanctuary' aims to raise awareness about people displaced from their homes and to channel basic humanitarian assistance from Faith Communities and Community Organisations via partnerships with experienced aid workers. Our special concern is for the 2000 or so exiles who are stuck in north-western France, mistakenly expecting a welcome in the UK. They need food, water, good counsel and clothes, which are accepted, sorted and distributed by several organisations, including two Calais warehouses which also supply needs further afield.
5 More than 250 people attended the second part of ‘Catholic investment for an integral ecology’, a webinar series organised by the Catholic Impact Investing Collaborative, Operation Noah and partner organisations on 21st October by zoom. The webinar showed the vital role of Catholic impact investing in advancing a just, green recovery.
‘Investment for a green recovery: innovation in impact investing’, focused on impact investing, exploring how Catholic organisations can make investments with positive environmental and social impacts. This fol- lowed a webinar last month, entitled ‘Fossil fuel divestment: accelerating the clean energy transition’.
Lord Deben, Chair of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change and keynote speaker, said that Catholic organisations need to‘ look at the effects of [their] investments and make decisions based upon those effects’. He added that, in the lead up to the UN climate talks (COP26) in Glasgow next year, ‘It is hugely important for the Catholic community to be very visible … it must be very determined, and it must be clear that we all ought to be in this together.’ Watch the full webinar
You can watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwU-Zla_3KY
Here are some useful resources and actions you can take: Read and consider signing the Catholic Impact Investing Pledge and explore the Impact Stories of Catholic organizations making impact investments, including our profile on Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood Explore our Resources page, a compilation of helpful studies, toolkits and resources intended to help institutions further explore Impact Investing through a Catholic lens, including our -two page primer Beginning Your Impact Journey: A Rough Roadmap http://www.catholicimpact.org/
The first webinar, “ Fossil fuel divestment: Accelerating the clean energy transition”, brought together Catholic organisations to learn more and share experiences of divesting from the fossil fuel industry and supporting a just recovery from Covid-19. Speakers included Fr Augusto Zampini, Dr Lorna Gold, Stephen Power SJ and Sr Susan Francois CSJP. View at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoSWjJQMnjU
Responsible Investment Bill
'2020 has been a year like no other. The world has faced an unprecedented health crisis. But the Covid-19 pandemic has also bought economic and social turmoil. It revealed the fragility of our societies, and shined a light on inequality worldwide– much like other crises before it, the poorest and most vulnerable have been hit the worst from the coronavirus pandemic. 2020 has also highlighted our interconnectedness – not just as people, but the system that support us. When one collapses, we all fall down. Reforms to the financial system have often been most focused on cli- mate change. But, while preparing for one crisis, we have been shocked by another. To build resilience we need to move from a focus in individual risks, to a focus on collective impact. That’s why we’re proposing a new law – a Responsible Investment Bill. To make sure our investment system helps to fix, rather than aggravate, the social and environmental problems we’re all facing.' To find out more about the bill, please go to the Share Action Website. https://shareaction.org/five-things-to-know-about-the-responsible-investment-bill/ Rachel Haworth, UK Policy Manager at Share Action
6 Independent Inquiry into Child Abuse Report into the Catholic Church On Tuesday, the Independent Inquiry into Child Abuse (IICSA), will publish its report into the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Whilst the Church with its different dioceses and religious orders will be the focus of the report, our hearts go out to anyone who has suffered abuse in a Church setting. Such acts represent a gross breach of trust and are truly reprehensible. We acknowledge that victims and survivors have usually endured years of pain, made worse by the failures to listen and respond to their voices. We anticipate the report will make many recommendations to the Church. The Bishops and the institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life in England and Wales have already commissioned an independent review of our Catholic safeguarding arrangements, especially at national level. This has been undertaken under the leadership of Ian Elliot, a renowned safeguarding consultant. His report is also due to be published soon. The following are places which offer support and advice: 1) Safe Spaces, which is run by Victim Support on behalf of the Catholic and Anglican churches, is for anyone who feels they have experienced Church-related abuse of any form in England or Wales (whether this is in the past or is happening now). A confidential telephone helpline and live chat facility is available from Monday – Saturday from 10.00am – 6.00pm (Thursdays 12.00- 8.00pm). Telephone 0300 303 1056. Live Chat www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk 2) The Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator: Jane Robinson [email protected] Telephone 07935931947. All concerns and allegations regarding abuse in the Church should be reported here. It is national policy that all such reports are referred to the statutory authorities. Bishop Paul Swarbrick Report available at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/roman-catholic-church-investigation-report-november-2020
Citizens UK’s Living Wage for Careworkers Charter We all rely on the one million careworkers on the frontline of the UK’s fight against the pandemic. Careworkers have worked tirelessly throughout Covid-19 to look after the most vulnerable in our society – and have found themselves at risk, often without adequate PPE, and without the esteem afforded to NHS workers. Over half of frontline careworkers earn below the voluntary Living Wage of £9.30 an hour (£10.75 in London) and are struggling to keep their heads above water. As careworkers, care recipients, care commissioners, council leaders, politicians and community leaders, we all agree that no careworker deserves poverty pay. We have applauded careworkers on Thursday evenings – now is the time to match our applause with a guarantee that they will earn enough to live a decent life. We call on the UK Government to provide the £1.4 billion in additional funding so that every care sector worker that delivers publicly funded care can be paid at least the voluntary Living Wage of £9.30 an hour (£10.75 in London). https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-our-living-wage-for-careworker-charter
7 One year until COP 26 - But what exactly is it? Jesuit Missions
Compose a piece of music or perform a dance?
Send a picture of your work, with your name and why climate change matters to you, to [email protected]. Over the next few months, we will be When we join together, gathering art pieces together from Jesuit schools, parishes and supporters we can be a voice for change that is impossible to ignore. Jesuit Missions will collate this #TheTimeIsNow for a healthy, green and fair future. collection of work and present it to READ & SIGN OUR DECLARATION NOW politicians ahead of COP26, demonstrating the need for creative thinking as the world addresses the climate crisis. Sign petition at: https:// thetimeisnow.uk/about-the- campaign 8 Around fifty people were involved in a recent Zoom weekend from Boarbank Hall. It aimed to inspire, Living Laudato Si’: inform, connect and encourage anyone wanting to Your Planet and Your Parish engage in practical and prayerful projects in response to the encyclical, especially through parish groups and activities. After all, the Church, with its combination of local and global networks, is the perfect structure for helping to reshape the world in its current state of crisis. We need small parish groups to be the leaven in the lump of the Church, and the Church to be the leaven in the lump of the world. The original plan had been to have a residential weekend at Boarbank. Switching to Zoom, for obvious reasons, enabled us to reach far more people, and led to a very lively set of conversations, and in particular the pooling of questions, information, ideas and experience. We are still busy collating the fruits of these to share with the group, and more widely. The long weekend began and ended with encouragement from two bishops who have led from the front in their own dioceses and more widely. Bishop Richard Moth set a prayerful tone with his reflection on the importance of taking time to attend and discern. Bishop John Arnold concluded by encouraging us to respond to both Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti with faith and hope. On Saturday we had three talks, well spaced to allow people to escape from their screens in between! Trish Sandbach, who worked for many years for OXFAM and is now an assessor for the LiveSimply award [https:// cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Livesimply-award] talked us through the process of leading her own parish to the award, and added some theological reflection inspired also by the encyclical. John Paul de Quay, founder of the Ecological Conversion Group and the Journey to 2030 website, both supported by the Bishops’ Conference, spoke about ecological conversion, and answered with humour imagined objections that he has frequently encountered. Sr Margaret Atkins spoke about the way in which the power of technology can shape our mindsets, distancing us from reality and generating both pride and thoughtlessness. Sunday afternoon and evening were dedicated to questions to our panellists, who covered a range of topics: wildlife gardening, organic gardening, tree planting and compost; energy saving and installing electric points; disinvestment and reinvestment; reducing waste; connecting with the younger generation, and listening to the cry of the poor. The very informative and lively questions and answers were supplemented by an equally active contribution on the chat from the participants. On the final evening, we made space for general discussion, with a focus on how to take the work of the weekend forward, in particular by benefiting from contacts with each other: various possibilities for online groups and contacts are now in process. The resources shared over the weekend by participants will also be made available in a user-friendly form, especially through the Journey to 2030 website. https://journeyto2030.org Two other features made the weekend more than an online conference. We shared online Night Prayer, and one Morning Prayer, beautifully presented by Karen Groves and John Moffat, our online hosts. We also offered participants a screen-free activity each day, to enable them to pray, reflect and act on themes relevant to the whole weekend. We found that there was certainly enough interest to repeat the weekend, probably more than once. If you are interested or know anyone who might be, please contact Sr Margaret on [email protected], or just keep an eye on the Journey to 2030 or Boarbank Hall (www.boarbankhall.org.uk) websites. The more we can do to encourage, inform and support each other, the more hope and joy there will be in a dark and threatened world. And one final task for you. Where are all the millions of trees we need to plant in this country going to come from? Well, how about you? This year is a great one for acorns. Oaks have long tap roots, so the best plant pots for them are upcycled plastic drinks bottles! Simply cut the top off, and make a drainage hole or two in the bottom and plant the acorn. In a few years’ time, you will have to find a good place to plant it, perhaps with the help of your Church or a local community group. Best of all, find some young people to do this with- your children or your grandchildren. They will be around to see the miracle of this little acorn growing into a majestic tree. So will their children and grandchildren .... Saving waste, reducing carbon, helping biodiversity, creating beauty, great exercise, and really good fun. What better way of growing hope this autumn? Not so much‘ Pay as you Go’, rather ‘Pray as you Grow!’
Sr Margaret Atkins, Boarbank Hall.
9 Bishop John Arnold, Environment Lead for the Bishops’ Conference, has joined over 60 UK faith leaders in writing to the Prime Minister to call on the government to deliver new, ambitious plans to tackle climate change.
The UK has the presidency for the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference that will be held in Glasgow in November 2021. The faith leaders stress that, as COP26 President, the UK’s single most important job is to rally all countries to raise ambition and put forward enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that limit a global temperature rise this century to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. The Paris Agreement, reached in the French capital at the COP21 climate conference in 2015, requests each country to outline and communicate their post-2020 climate actions, known as their NDCs, to set a course towards sustainable development to achieve this global warming commitment. In their letter, the representatives of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities, emphasise that the UK government can lead by example: “This is an historic moment for global leadership from the UK, to put forward a world-leading NDC to inspire all other nations of the world to do the same– arguably the most important investment that could be made in all our futures.” The letter points out the moral responsibility in making a strong commitment: “Climate change affects humanity at the deepest level, raising profound questions about our relationship with the living world. As faith leaders in the UK, we know this especially because of our engagement with the poorest communities here and around the world who are already suffering most. We must all try to find the moral courage to confront these questions, and to transform ourselves and our society. “Faith groups in the UK are already taking urgent climate action, with thousands of places of worship switch- ing to renewable energy and religious groups divesting from fossil fuels and reinvesting in measures to pro- tect the environment.” Keep Space for Full Letter You can download a PDF of the letter NDCs – Faith Leaders’ Letter The Time is NOW On the 6th October 2020 the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government would take action to achieve 40GW of offshore wind by 2030, more than enough to power every home in the UK. This was set out as the first point of a 10 point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’ to put the UK on the pathway to net-zero by 2050. The Prime Minister is due to set out the full ten point plan before the end of this year. Leading UK NGOs working on climate change and development set out below our own 10 Point Plan for the UK to forge a green recovery from the pandemic and inspire the world to follow, ahead of the crucial COP 26 climate summit that the UK will be hosting next year.Read our Ten Points be prepared to campaign.
10 Dear Friends, This year has been incredibly challenging in many different ways. As the month of Remembrance arrives, we offer our love to anyone going through the pain of loss and pray that they find comfort. A big thank you to our CAFOD parish volunteers and school volunteers this Harvest. In the face of this coronavirus crisis, it is both humbling and inspiring to witness the generosity of the Catholic community here in Lancaster Diocese. It is wonderful to see donations from so many parishes and schools for our Harvest Family Fast Day appeal, and we know many people have been inspired to donate online instead of in church. We are grateful to you for promoting all these different ways of giving in this ‘Harvest like no other’.
Faith in Action- Building a better world after the pandemic Saturday 14th November 11am -4 pm Join our campaigners’ conference to discuss the world we want to create – one where we respond to Pope Francis’s call and ensure plans for recovering from the crisis tackle poverty, inequality and the climate emergency. Hear from practical theologian Sam Ewell, climate campaigners and CAFOD’s Head of Advocacy Neil Thorns, with participative sessions and discussion. Book your place here and bring others along if you can!
Reach out with love this Advent When we think of how we can respond to so much suffering in the world, many of us are guided by a simple phrase: Give, act, pray. This Advent, as we reflect on the unimaginable situations faced by our sisters and brothers around the world, each of us can respond and, in your role as a CAFOD volunteer, perhaps encourage others to do the same.
Give: Our alternative gifts for Christmas mean that nothing is wasted, and no one receives a gift they don’t really need. Your parish will receive a small order of World Gifts booklets this week. Please can you arrange for them to be displayed in church if it’s safe to do so? Our Keep Clean gift, is £6, and provides a family with soap, washing powder and facemasks. Read how it works and see the gifts
Act: Around the world, people are fighting to defend their land or communities. Claudelice, right, receives death threats for trying to protect the forest from illegal logging in her part of Brazil. Could you spare a few minutes this Advent to send a message of support to someone who risks everything to protect others – and can you share it with others? Read more here
Pray :We have many opportunities for prayer and reflection online this Advent. See this page for upcoming events.
CAFOD in schools :The Education Team at CAFOD are working hard to provide online material for schools to use to promote the work of CAFOD and to fundraise. In our own diocese we have a team of Education Volunteers who, whilst they can’t visit schools at the moment, have all done training to enable them to ‘visit’ schools virtually, offering assemblies and workshops. If you know anybody who is working in education, please pass this link to them. Have a look yourselves too! https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Education-resources
Merciful Father, we pray for our 'sisters and brothers all' living or dead who work or worked tirelessly for the poor of this world and for the care of creation. We give thanks at this time for those people who have died working for CAFOD and its partners here at home or in distant lands and now live with you in a life of peace.
Amen. Prayer written by CAFOD volunteer Trevor Stockton
Emma & Patrick – CAFOD Lancaster [email protected] [email protected]
To donate online: https://cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-Emergencies/Coronavirus-appeal
11 The Anna Chaplaincy Cumbria project has begun. Following the 5th Annual Dementia Conference in September Katherine Froggatt took up post as Anna Chaplaincy Lead for Cumbria. This two year post aims to help establish Anna Chaplaincy as a distinct ministry across Cumbria, working with local churches and mission communities to identify, trains and support volunteers to take on roles as Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends in their locality. Anna Chaplaincy is about resourcing the spiritual journey of older people. Anna Chaplaincy aims to equip churches to support older people wherever they may be – in residential care, congregations, in their own homes and in the community. At the heart of Anna Chaplaincy is a growing network of Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends. We already have two Anna Chaplains appointed: Beverly Moore in Kendal and Babbs Lowe in Barrow. An initial Enquirer’s Day about Anna Chaplaincy was held in March 2020 before lockdown. A further two on-line events are planned for November: November 24th 2020 19.00 - 20.30 November 26th 2020 14.00 - 15.30 Julia Burton-Jones, who has developed Anna Chaplaincy in Rochester and Canterbury Dioceses and also holds a national role in the Anna Chaplaincy work, will be contributing to the event. If you would like to attend one of these events to find out more about Anna Chaplaincy, e-mail [email protected] or ring Gwen on 01433 445010 to book a place and to receive the link. I look forward to meeting with many of you over the coming months. Katherine Froggatt Anna Chaplaincy Lead
Take part in Church Action on Poverty Sunday on 21 February 2021
Be one of the many churches across the UK that pray together and raise funds to help people speak truth to power. Join churches around the UK in prayer, giving and action this Church Action on Poverty Sunday. Share a vision for a society founded on compassion and justice, where all people are able to exercise dignity, agency and power.
https://www.church-poverty.org.uk/sunday/
12