‘Caritas in Veritate’

Bishop Terry extends an invitation to the whole Diocese – young people and adults alike – to join together in a special project for Lent 2010. The aim is to promote insight and understanding, and provoke stimulation and challenge, as we make a closer examination of recent Catholic Social Teaching.

The project is entitled Love in Truth – the English translation of the 2009 Papal Encyclical ‘Caritas in Veritate’. The wide-ranging themes highlighted there by the Holy Father will form the focus for much of the input and discussion, including:

• justice and the common good
• the integrity of the family
• respect for human life and freedom
• migration and mobility of labour
• international co-operation
• hunger and poverty
• business ethics and responsibility
• respect for creation and the environment

The aim is to relate the teaching of the Church to contemporary issues and choices. With the profound economic and social consequences of the recent global recession, together with an imminent General Election, these issues could hardly be more pertinent.

In order to allow the greatest possible access for the whole Diocese, there will be evening sessions taking place in three Vicariate venues (Hull, York and Middlesbrough) during the first two weeks of Lent. These will be followed by a morning plenary session for the whole Diocese, to be held in York on Saturday 13th March. It is hoped that participants will aim to come to both of their two local sessions and also to the plenary session.

We have secured some excellent speakers and facilitators, both Clergy and Laity, with a passion for Catholic Social Teaching and an ability to share its treasures. These include Fathers Peter Keeling, John O’Gara, John Lumley, and William Massie, Prior Colin Battell OSB, David Cross of CAFOD, Patrick Doyle and Nan Saeki. At the plenary session Bishop Terry will be joined by John Battle (retiring MP for Leeds West) – an insightful speaker on issues of social justice.

The details of the project sessions are as follows (all 7.00 pm start):

Hull (Endsleigh Pastoral Centre)

• Session 1 – Tuesday 23rd February
• Session 2 – Tuesday 2nd March

York (St Bede’s Pastoral Centre)

• Session 1 – Wednesday 24th February
• Session 2 – Wednesday 3rd March

Middlesbrough (St Francis, Acklam)

• Session 1 – Thursday 25th February
• Session 2 – Thursday 4th March

Third session – Plenary for the whole Diocese together

10.00 am to 1.00 pm at English Martyrs, York, on Saturday 13th March. The session will conclude with a simple lunch.

Posters, leaflets and brief summaries of ‘Caritas in Veritate’ have been sent to all Parish Priests and Lay Adult Formation Contacts, and also to University Chaplaincies, Sixth Form Colleges and Secondary Schools. Should you require any further information, please contact Jane Cook on (01642) 850505 ext 235 or adultformation@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk

The full text of ‘Caritas in Veritate’ can be found under the list of Encyclicals on www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi