CAFOD

@cafod.bsky.social

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We are CAFOD, the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. A better world needs all of us.

Christine Allen, Director and CEO of Catholic aid agency CAFOD said: “Andy Burnham’s Catholic upbringing will undoubtedly continue to play an important part in informing his leadership and decision-making. He has talked about prioritising fairness and justice, and of having the courage to ‘fix big things’. All of that will be necessary as the UK prepares to take on the leadership of the G20 later this year. “The church’s social teaching offers a priceless framework that speaks into every aspect of life and leadership. It will be a valuable guide in the biggest challenges Mr Burnham will need to address, such as lifting people out of poverty, tackling the climate crisis and reforming the broken and harmful financial systems in our world today.
A picture of a small church which is behind a pile of rubble. "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, and saves those who crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
Hawa running her hand through the compost.
“In June, we heard the desperate call from the Latin Parish in Taybeh, a Christian town in the West Bank facing an unprecedented escalation in settler violence that threatens not only their physical security but also their very existence. In Gaza, our partners continue to deliver drinking water to vulnerable families as the humanitarian crisis deepens but Israeli restrictions and shortages of essential supplies limit the scale of their response. They also continue to face high levels of violence. As one partner told us: ‘One hour in Gaza is unthinkable. There is no time to cope or to adjust. You have to continue to go on, to survive war. Everyone is talking about a ceasefire in Gaza. There is no ceasefire.’ “It has been two years since the international Court of justice issued its advisory opinion. We welcome the recent comments from the incoming Prime Minister, but the UK Government has a responsibility to do more. Urgent action is needed to uphold international law.”
A group of people stood around a table signing the petition.
A photo showing two men in orange Caritas Venezuela vests by a destroyed building. "How is our local partner responding in Venezuela?"
A photo showing rubble following the earthquakes in Venezuela with the DEC logo and a red title that says "Emergency, Venezuela Earthquake Appeal."
A graphic with a background photo showing rubble in Venezuela. "How is our local partner responding in Venezuela? 4,000+ tonnes of bottled water 8,000+ kits with food and hygiene items for families 3,000+ hygiene kits 1,000 rescue kits for first responders."
A group of people collecting water from the truck.
A photo of Pope Leo XIV with a quote: "Life is not a race to be lived in a solitary way, it is something that is played as a team and we have to learn to run together."
A group of schoolchildren in Ukraine holding their new schoolbags.
A prayer for Venezuela featuring an image of rubble following the earthquake. "Faithful God, even when the earth shakes, your love remains firm. You are our refuge and help. Be near the people of Venezuela, in this time of grief and fear. Welcome into your light those who have died, comfort those who mourn, be close to those who are injured and bring renewed hope to those who have lost all that they built.
Both teams watch as a shot goes over the bar in Zimbabwe.
A photo of Bishop Nicholas Hudson with a quote: "We pray for all those who face such hardship, loss, and uncertainty. We encourage support for the humanitarian response through CAFOD’s emergency fund which is helping to provide vital assistance and hope to those in need.”
A man in a Caritas Venezuela vest and baseball cap holding a walkie-talkie.
Two men on a motorbike riding past a slanted building that collapsed in the Venezuela earthquake. "Emergency. Venezuela Earthquake Appeal. CAFOD DEC Member. Together we're stronger."
A photo of a man handing out a sack. "Venezuela Earthquake Update. Church partners are responding in Venezuela."
A photo showing people riding a motorbike by a collapsed building in Venezuela. "Emergency. Venezuela Earthquake Appeal. Please help today."
A photo showing two Caritas aid workers inspecting destroyed buildings. The text says: "Emergency aid is reaching families in Venezuela."
A photo of Pope Leo with a quote of his from Sunday 28 June: "As we pray to the Lord for the eternal repose of the deceased, I renew my spiritual closeness to their families, the injured, and those struck by this tragedy. At the same time, I express my gratitude and support to those who are generously carrying out search and rescue efforts.”
An illustration featuring Saint Paul holding scrolls and Saint Peter holding keys and a fishing net. "Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul"
A photo showing a destroyed building by a road in Venezuela.
A photo of Jackeline Mendoza Diaz with a quote: "“Illegal mining is devastating communities… They deceive with false promises. They say they will build roads and schools. But in the end they take away the wealth and leave nothing for our communities, and we are left poorer… It is devastating to see rivers destroyed, streams contaminated and forests degraded without control… Through this destruction we lose our flora and fauna, which are the most important things for Indigenous peoples because we live from fishing, animals, plants, seeds and gathering from the forest.”
A football-style card with text that says: "Ghana Level the playing field: Tackle the unfair debt."
Bolivian partners speaking to the Young Leaders at the event.
Parishioners and the priest signing the CAFOD debt petition in Bedford.
A photo of Pope Leo XIV with a quote: "Distressing news continues to emerge regarding the war in Ukraine, which continues to escalate: so many innocent victims, aid workers killed, churches and cultural heritage sites devastated by fire."
A graphic featuring a large '18%' in green. "Low-income countries spend 18% of government revenue on dept payments (up from 5% in 2014)
A photo showing a water truck with a Caritas flag driving with a man hanging off the back of it.
An illustration showing Jesus with a hand touching his Sacred Heart.
A graphic with an photo of tall buildings in the City of London. "The UK is a global debt superpower. 90% of debts owed by poorer countries to profitable, private lenders are governed under English Law. That means the UK government can act."
Bishop Patrick McKinney from the Diocese of Nottingham signing the CAFOD debt petition.
"An important thread connecting all our faiths is caring for our common home and protecting those most vulnerable in society. Worldwide, it is estimated that 132 million more people could be pushed into extreme poverty by 2030 because of the devastating impact of climate change. We therefore believe that urgent action on the climate crisis is necessary. If we are to succeed, we must follow the science. We are pleased that the UK Government has followed the scientific advice and that of the Climate Change Committee for this carbon budget. We must do all we can to bring positive change. We urge a strong implementation of this budget and previous ones, so that we can play our part in keeping below the dangerous temperature rises which scientists warn us of, and which we already see around the world mainly affecting those who have done least to cause this crisis. Maintaining a strong trajectory to clean power will protect poor communities suffering from spikes in fossil fuel costs."
A volunteer stood at the CAFOD cheer station by the London Marathon.
A photo of Yeukayi stood outside a rural clinic in Zimbabwe. "We used to go even to fetch water during labour pains." Mothers at Bungwe medical clinic had no clean water during childbirth.
A photo of Pope Leo XIV with a quote from Magnifica Humanitas: "The mystery of the living God, revealed in Jesus Christ, who, as a communion of Persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — is love itself in relationship... human persons are called to communion with God and... their deepest vocation is to enter into the Trinitarian dynamic of love received and shared."
The CAFOD and St Mary's teams together for a photo on the football pitch before the match.
A photo showing Sister Zishiri stood outside her clinic in rural Zimbabwe. "Now we can perform our duty properly because we have light." Solar panels and clean water systems have transformed Bungwe medical clinic.
A photo showing an outdoor washing facility and people stood outside a medical building in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "Trusted local Church partners are responding to the Ebola outbreak. 1000 suspected cases and 246 deaths have already been reported as the outbreak spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A photo of Pope Leo and the cover of Magnifica Humanitas. "Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical is out. This is what it's about..."
A photo of Pope Leo with a quote: "In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human."