Bishops back debt relief campaign by Caritas

Caritas is leading a petition calling for cancellation of unjust debt and reform of the global financial system, and to keep the New Zealand Government on track to support Pacific climate adaptation through grants.

Both Pope Francis and Pope Leo have linked debt relief to the biblical concept of Jubilee as a time for cancellation of debt and renewal of justice, an NZCBC Facebook post noted.

“In our region, at least six Pacific Island countries are at ‘high risk’ of debt distress, while many Pacific Islands are amongst the most vulnerable places in the world to the impacts of climate change. Francis and Leo have called on affluent countries to mark this Jubilee Year by working to relieve ‘unjust and unpayable’ foreign debts,” the post stated.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has made the petition available online. Caritas has also produced what the NZCBC Facebook post described as “excellent resources on Turn Debt into Hope for the Season of Creation”.

These resources include a webinar this Friday — September 19 — to help people engage with their communities and government on the issue.

Caritas noted that New Zealand has “a world-leading model of providing grants instead of loans, but we need to act urgently to preserve this policy”.

In New Zealand, Caritas is asking communities, parishes, youth groups and schools to mobilise during the Season of Creation. Specifically, Caritas is asking these groups to help it in educating communities about the debt crisis in the Pacific and about what New Zealand is doing to help.

Caritas also wants people speak up and tell New Zealand politicians and leaders how important it is to continue providing grants instead of loans And Caritas is asking that the word be spread internationally about New Zealand’s successful policy.

The NZCBC Facebook post noted that the bishops encourage people to be Pilgrims of Hope by standing in solidarity with the poor throughout the world.

FULL STORY

Facebook (NZCBC)

Season of Creation: Turn Debt into Hope! (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)