Lancaster: Reach out with Love this Advent

Maggie McSherry

The November bulletin of the Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission contains ideas for Advent and other news.

When we think of how we can respond to so much suffering in the world, many of us are guided by a simple phrase: Give, Act, Pray. This Advent, as we reflect on the unimaginable situations faced by our sisters and brothers around the world, each of us can respond.

Give: Our alternative gifts for Christmas mean that nothing is wasted, and no one receives a gift they don't really need. Your parish will receive a small order of World Gifts booklets this week. Please can you arrange for them to be displayed in church if it's safe to do so? Our Keep Clean gift, is £6, and provides a family with soap, washing powder and facemasks.

More at: https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/

Act: Around the world, people are fighting to defend their land or communities. Claudelice, right, receives death threats for trying to protect the forest from illegal logging in her part of Brazil. Could you spare a few minutes this Advent to send a message of support to someone who risks everything to protect others - and can you share it with others? More at: https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Latest-campaigns/Messages-to-the-brave

Pray: We have many opportunities for prayer and reflection online this Advent. See this page for upcoming events. https://cafod.org.uk/Volunteer/Online-talks

CAFOD in schools: The Education Team at CAFOD provide online material for schools.

See https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Education-resources

Bishop Paul Swarbrick of Lancaster says: "The Independent Inquiry into Child Abuse Report into the Catholic Church has published its report into the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Whilst the Church with its different dioceses and religious orders will be the focus of the report, our hearts go out to anyone who has suffered abuse in a Church setting. Such acts represent a gross breach of trust and are truly reprehensible. We acknowledge that victims and survivors have usually endured years of pain, made worse by the failures to listen and respond to their voices. We anticipate the report will make many recommendations to the Church. The Bishops and the institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life in England and Wales have already commissioned an independent review of our Catholic safeguarding arrangements, especially at national level. This has been undertaken under the leadership of Ian Elliot, a renowned safeguarding consultant. His report is also due to be published soon."

The following are places which offer support and advice:

1) Safe Spaces, which is run by Victim Support on behalf of the Catholic and Anglican churches, is for anyone who feels they have experienced Church-related abuse of any form in England or Wales (whether this is in the past or is happening now). A confidential telephone helpline and live chat facility is available from Monday - Saturday from 10am - 6pm (Thursdays 12- 8pm). Telephone 0300 303 1056. Live Chat www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

2) The Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator: Jane Robinson janer@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk Telephone 07935931947. All concerns and allegations regarding abuse in the Church should be reported here. It is national policy that all such reports are referred to the statutory authorities.

Lancaster Faith and Justice November Newsletter at: https://tinyurl.com/y2qb82pe

Maggie McSherry - Speaking personally

www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/speaking-personally/speaking-personally-maggie-mcsherry/