Racial justice campaigners celebrate patron saint

Leading Catholic campaigners for racial justice gathered on Saturday to celebrate their Patron saint, St Martin de Porres. The day, organised by the Catholic Association for Racial Justice, began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton and President of CARJ, at the church of St Thomas More in Manor House, north London. More than 50 people attended, including Chris Bain director of CAFOD , Christine Allen from the CIIR, Anthony Baker from the Newman Association, Mary Milovilhic, St John Fisher, Peterborough, Sr Brigid of the Union Catholic Mother Trustees of CARJ and CARJ members. In the afternoon, there was a young people's workshop facilitated by Theresa Carvalho, Assistant Director for the Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood. Some group members said they felt young people did not engage with the church because they did not feel involved or allowed to participate. Suggestions expressed from the group included possibility for focus groups for young people that were led by them are developed. During his homily Bishop Kieran said we must accept that we cannot become like children anymore. He said: "We do however still retain the basic needs of children. The need to be loved, to be nurtured, the need to share. We must find ways of acknowledging that in our lives and in others." Uzo Agyare-Kumi, CARJ national co-ordinator informed the group that a CARJ Young People's Forum is to be organised on the 16 - 17 July 2005. Source: CCS