Corpus Christi call for Food not Fuel

The war in Ukraine has caused a great hunger issue in East Africa because of the rise in the price of wheat. Meanwhile, G7 countries have been converting 10,000 tonnes of wheat - the equivalent of 15 million loaves of bread - into ethanol for use in cars every day. Jesuit Missions report:

An all-time record number of up to 49 million people in 46 countries could now be at risk of falling into famine unless they receive immediate life and livelihoods-saving assistance, reports FAO and the WFP. Several countries in which Jesuit Missions works, including Nigeria and South Sudan, have populations which are projected to experience starvation and death.

The reasons for this crisis include climate change, the impact of COVID and rising food prices. In addition, the war in Ukraine - one of the world's largest suppliers of wheat to Africa - is having a grave impact on food supply for some of the world's poorest people.

Jesuit Missions' partner in Kenya, Fr Charles Chilufya SJ of the Justice and Ecology Network Africa, points out that G7 nations are using wheat to produce biofuels for use in cars: "Wheat price increases are hitting poorer countries hard. Since the start of the year, wheat prices have gone up 53%. It is estimated that 400 million people depend on Ukraine's food exports. Many poorer countries are dependent on these exports to feed their people.

Meanwhile, many G7 countries are buying the remaining wheat for use in the production of biofuels. Europe is still changing 10,000 tonnes of wheat - the equivalent of 15 million loaves of bread - into ethanol for use in cars every day. While biofuels have a role to play in the transition to a low carbon economy, the choice being made by many countries is putting cars ahead of people.

We believe this cannot be justified and are calling upon world leaders to pause the production of biofuels and to prioritise feeding people."

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, we invited parishes across the country to sign our URGENT petition to the G7 leaders, including the UK's Prime Minister, for their meeting in June to prioritise FOOD NOT FUEL.

In a homily for Corpus Christi, Pope Francis said: "We cannot partake of that Bread if we do not give bread to the hungry. We cannot share that Bread unless we share the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in need. In the end, and the end of our solemn Eucharistic liturgies as well, only love will remain."

See here for more information. https://jesuitmissions.org.uk/food-not-fuel/