Catholics called to support sustainable development

Catholic charity Progressio is calling on all Catholics in England and Wales to unite with communities overseas ahead of the forthcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development at Rio de Janeiro in June, Rio+20. It’s a big chance to tackle poverty in a just and sustainable way.

To help, Progressio has sent a special pack called ‘the future we want’, the theme of Rio+20, to all Catholic parishes in England and Wales.

Each pack contains 50 postcards to give out, fill in, and send to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who will lead the UK delegation, via Progressio. It will arrive within the next five days.

“We’ve never done anything like this before in the 72-year history of Progressio,” said Daniel Hale, Campaigns Officer. “It’s a huge chance for the Catholic community to collectively say a huge and collective YES to something that really matters for people across the world!”

The Pope spoke of Rio+20 in the recent joint communiqué of the Holy See and Her Majesty’s Government following the U.K. Ministerial Delegation’s visit to the Holy See. “We will strive for a better future for all humanity, taking into particular account care for the poorest people in the world,” he said.

Special packs are being sent to every Catholic parish in England and Wales, addressed to the Parish Priest. Each pack contains:

· a ‘Parish Action Kit’ with information, reflection, prayers and actions
· 50 postcards inviting people to record ‘the future we want’ on them
· a poster to support it all.

A special video to support the pack featuring the future people Progressio works with around the world want is available at: http://progressio.org.uk/futurewewant