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The political noise may have subsided recently from the fever pitch of a few weeks ago but the cost-of-living crisis has not gone away. In our country, more people are being dragged into poverty by steep increases in the costs of food, energy and mortgages. This is demeaning of human dignity and where there is such an urgent need, the Catholic community is called to a Gospel response of truth, justice and compassion.

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Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, reminds us that "each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society" (187).

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The Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) are inviting the Catholic community in England and Wales to raise a prophetic voice in the face of this urgent humanitarian crisis. A representative from CSAN said:

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We know how generous our parish communities are is in responding to need at the grassroots. Our CSAN members are involved in thousands of projects all over the country to help to relieve the damaging effects of poverty.

In line with the Bishops' Conference and their Department for Social Justice's briefing paper, we are calling on the new government to make urgent changes to the welfare and tax system for the benefit of the most vulnerable in our society. We are also calling on them to work with the Catholic community and all other faith groups on a vision for a poverty-free country.

CSAN is calling on the Catholic community to take a stand against poverty by writing to their local MP and share their stories of what is happening in their communities and to support the 'asks' of the bishops.

Bishop Terry Drainey, Chair of Caritas Social Action Network, said: "We urge the Catholic community to support the vision of the bishops' Department for Social Justice in working to alleviate the impacts of poverty in our communities and promoting a vision for the common good where all can flourish and lead fulfilling lives."

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The Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) is the domestic Catholic agency tackling poverty and injustice in England and Wales, with 50 Caritas diocese and independent member charities. CSAN is a member of the global Caritas Internationalis confederation. More information, including the template letter, can be found on the CSAN website here.

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Source: Independent Catholic News.