Diocesan News25 Feb 08

Cork Diocese resolves to become a Fair-Trade Diocese

The Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross has set its sights on becoming a fair-trade diocese.  At its last meeting the Diocesan Council resolved to work towards fair-trade status.  The announcement to the wider Diocese today is timed to coincide with the start of Fair-Trade fortnight (25th February to 9th March).

The Council of Mission of the Diocese has been given the responsibility of carrying forward this work.  In the first instance each parish has been asked to discuss the fair-trade objectives and to ask how they can be put in practice locally.

Six of Ireland’s twenty-five fair-trade towns are in County Cork (Bandon, Bantry, Cork City, Clonakilty, Kinsale and Skibbereen). 

The Reverend Ian Jonas, Chairperson of the Diocesan Council for Mission, based in Ireland’s first fair-trade town - Clonakilty - said

‘This is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the very real justice and human issues involved. I also want to pay tribute to one of our members - Alan Clayton, from Kinsale - who has spear-headed this vision in the Diocese.’

The Bishop, the Right Reverend Paul Colton, added

‘Seeking a status such as this, and striving for fair-trade status has to be much more than saying the right words and having the right label.  It’s about doing the right things to make a difference.  I commend this vision to the people of the Diocese.’