Press Releases
BISHOPS' APPEAL GIVES ONE MILLION EURO IN AID
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal set up to raise funds for the relief of poverty around the world gave one million euro (£635,000) last year to help projects of sustainable development, health and education.
Chairman of the Appeal, the Rt. Rev Michael Mayes, Bishop of Limerick, today congratulated parishes on their stewardship. He said: “It is now evident that much of the world’s poverty is closely related to debt, which for some countries has become so large that they are unable even to meet the interest payments on their loans.
“These problems are further exacerbated by restrictive trade structures that prevent them from having open and free access to the markets of those countries in the developed world that have the wealth to buy their products.
“Despite the work of the relief agencies, development cannot be carried out at a realistic level until those wider economic and trade issues are properly addressed as well.”
The Church of Ireland is encouraging greater awareness of environmental stewardship among congregations following recommendations made by the Global Anglican Congress on Stewardship of Creation at its meeting in South Africa earlier this year.
A good example of how to respond in a parish context to the need for environmental stewardship is being led in partnership by two Belfast priests, Canon David Humphries of St Molua’s Church of Ireland Parish, Stormont and Father Martin Magill of the Roman Catholic Parish in Poleglass.
Canon Humphries said: “We share a vision of partnership with the congregations working together as stewards of God’s creation. It is still early days but we are encouraged by the enthusiasm and involvement of our young people and the positive response by parishioners to this initiative.”
The result of a recent environmental audit at St Molua’s made a significant impact.
“We were aghast at the results”, said Canon Humphries. “There was so much waste and we very quickly set about trying to do things better by being much more aware of what it means to care for the environment.”
Other recommendations being promoted by the Church of Ireland include more links with parishes worldwide to increase understanding of environmental issues and support for young people as they seek to change the world in which they live.
The Church is also seeking ways of influencing public policies that reflect the principles of sustainable community.
Note:
Click here for The Declaration to the Anglican Communion including recommendations from the Global Anglican Congress on the Stewardship of Creation.
Click here to visit the Bishops' Appeal website
Further information from:
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