We must find new ways of working together was the clear message of the Bishops’ Conference that met last week in Leeds. Their commitment to a ‘programme of work to enable the Catholic community to contribute as fully as possible to a new culture of social responsibility’ is a strong and encouraging commitment to the evolving role of Caritas at national and diocesan level. Building on the momentum of the Popes visit from last September and recognising the challenges of the ‘hardship and stress felt by many families and individuals at the present time’, there is a new determination to work more strategically through diocesan charitable structures such as our own Caritas Diocese of Salford, parishes and Catholic charities to respond to social need. However, there is still a cautious engagement with the government’s notions of ‘Big Society’ as set out in their Localism Bill as cuts have done little to reassure them that they will be able to resource adequately their new found determination to work in a more joined up way to combat poverty.

The Bishops statement concludes by affirming their determination to ‘bring about a better coordination of social action in England and Wales and to further promote a sharing of good practice’. The welcomed statement follows a series of legacy meetings organised Caritas Social Action Network and the Bishop’s Conference in Liverpool and London in February and April, which have marked the first stage of this programme. Both were well attended by representatives of Caritas and other organisations in Salford Diocese.

Helen O’Brien, national director of Caritas Social Action Network said, ‘it is a wonderful opportunity to improve our capacity to work as Caritas and in partnerships with other groups and organisations in support of those vulnerable and marginalised in our society’.

The challenge we will need to address in Salford, as everywhere else, is how we can become a more effective and cohesive force for good, enabling our shared mission to become more visible without obscuring the distinctive identity of parish or other charitable initiatives inspired by the Gospel.

A series of consultation meetings are now planned in Salford Diocese to gather organisations and groups together to share their work, learn from each other and plan together.

For more details contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , CEO Caritas Diocese of Salford. 

 Plenary Social Action May 2011