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The Diocese of Worcester has received information that has buoyed the hopes of local supporters of the Make Poverty History Campaign.
Letters received by the Diocesan Secretary, Mr Robert Higham, indicate that party politics seem to have been put aside in order to challenge the injustice of world poverty and current trade rules. Mr Higham wrote to the Prime Minister and MPs regarding the Make Poverty History campaign, which the Diocesan Synod overwhelmingly voted to support at their June meeting.
“The information we’ve received has been very supportive and is a real indicator of the commitment to protecting poor farmers and fledgling industries of developing nations,” said Mr Higham. “It has acted as positive reinforcement that we are being listened to and that the Church should continue to campaign to Make Poverty History – it is making a difference. The message is getting through to those who have the power to turn the tables on poverty and injustice.”
The Secretary of State for International Development, Mr Hilary Benn, has written of his agreement with the Diocese of Worcester over their concerns that current trade rules are stacked against the world’s poorest countries. Mr Benn recently shared a podium with the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, at St Paul’s Cathedral when they both responded to the lecture Global Poverty: A Challenge to the World given by Professor Sachs. Bishop Peter welcomes the positive feedback that Diocese has received.
"Ever since I came here I have been proud of the fact that world development was a concern shared by many in the diocese and I am even more pleased that there now seems to be much more of a cross-party consensus that this has to be at the top of our agenda. My most recent conversation with the Secretary of State convinces me that we are pushing at an open door - and that we need to keep pushing."
Mr Benn has asked the Diocesan Synod to be assured that “through Presidencies of the G8 and the EU that the UK will continue to take the lead in calling the international community to tackle extreme poverty more effectively.”
As well as becoming aware that MP’s are engaging with churches in their constituencies on this issue, Mr Higham has also received correspondence welcoming the Synod’s support of the campaign from the MPs: Mr Ian Austin; Mr Adrian Bailey; Mr Michael Foster; Mr Peter Luff; Sir Michael Spicer and Mr Bill Wiggin. They have openly shared information and were clear that the support of the church and faith groups has been important in helping the government to ‘Make Poverty History’.
Ends
For further information regarding the Diocesan support of the Make Poverty History Campaign or any other queries, please contact:
The Diocesan Communications Officer, The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester WR1 2JE
Tel: 01905 20537 Fax: 01905 612302
The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.
© Copyright The Diocese of Worcester
