CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, the official international development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and, as such, is active within the global Caritas family and CIDSE, the network of Catholic international development agencies.
Believing that all human beings have a right to dignity and respect, and that the world’s resources are a gift to be shared equally between all men and women, whatever their race, religion or political beliefs, CAFOD works in partnership with people across the developing world to promote human developments and social justice in witness to Christian faith and gospel values. 2012 will mark our 50th Anniversary and will find us continuing to work in partnership with local organisations in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America; listening to the people’s needs and helping them to find ways to transform life for themselves, their families and their communities, whilst challenging those of us in the north to transform our lives for the common good. We work in three specific ways to bring about an end to poverty:
• Responding to emergencies to provide immediate support
• Working alongside people in poverty on long-term development, enabling them to improve their everyday lives
• Targeting unjust systems and structures that keep people in poverty particularly at international level, as we seek to change the root causes of poverty.
Underpinning this work is our faith base and the belief that we are called by Jesus to work for His Kingdom, in this place and at this time. Prayerful reflection of Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the Catholic Church help ensure that we remain focused. In Shrewsbury Diocese we are very grateful to have the support of our Bishop, Parish Priests and wider Catholic community who give so generously and consistently of their prayers, time, energy and money to support CAFOD’s work. In this special anniversary year we thank you all for enabling us to reach fifty and for providing the hope and inspiration that we carry into the future.
CAFOD Diocesan Manager: Sue Bownas
CAFOD Diocesan Officer: Liz Aiello
Diocesan Office: CAFOD Shrewsbury, 27A Downsfield Road, Chester CH4 8HH
Tel: 01244 677594
Email: Shrewsbury@cafod.org.uk: www.cafod.org.uk and www.cafod.org.uk/shrewsbury
(Photo: St Gabriel News and Media)