Covid-19: UK Bishop urges support for Catholic charities

By Vatican News

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Its Chair is Bishop Terence Drainey of Middlesbrough.

Charities under strain

In a statement published on the CSAN website, Bishop Drainey calls on Catholics “to keep the poor, vulnerable, and isolated members of our community at the forefront of our minds at this difficult time”.

The Covid-19 outbreak is putting Catholic charities under great strain, reads the statement. That is why “there is an urgent need to support these charities and the people they serve”, it says.

Guidelines and advice

Bishop Drainey offers concrete guidelines and advice about how to care for our neighbours and those isolated during the pandemic. These include offering to shop for people who cannot manage for themselves, or phoning the elderly and anyone who lives alone, to ensure they do not feel forgotten.

Need for support

The Bishop encourages support for charities, like Caritas Social Action, that serve the common good. Some of the most vulnerable people in society include the homeless, the sick, those in prison, and families unable to make ends meet. During the coronavirus pandemic the need to assist them is increasing, and Catholic charities are working even harder, he says.

Gratitude to volunteers

The statement expresses gratitude and appreciation “to all who have committed their time and service to charitable activities”. Their dedication “is an example to Catholics of how we can put our faith into action and live as missionary disciples”, it reads. 

“In all this, we need to pray for our world that we may use our resources well, being generous in our concern for others”, concludes Bishop Drainey. “Even in such difficult times, so much good can be achieved”.