Aid agencies - Why can't we join forces

I was very sorry to hear that CAFOD is going to be laying off staff. As there are more and more crises in the world surely we need more staff and more resources in our aid and development agencies not less.

Would it not be possible to pool resources with some of the other Christian aid agencies and save money that way rather than by losing staff?

Although there are theological differences between the different churches, surely on the subject of relief, aid and development work all the churches agree, don't we?

Wouldn't it be a fine Christian witness for us to come together - sharing premises, staff and other resources. It seems wasteful to me that we are all working away in our separate offices all no doubt in need of more cash.

We can still pray in our own ways and have our services but surely we could even come together for these sometimes?

If the Archbishop of Canterbury has invited an ecumenical community into Lambeth Palace, could not our Christian aid agencies work ecumenically also?

In hope and prayer

Janet MacGuiness

Patchway, Bristol