With your generous help, Bishops’ Appeal has been supporting Habitat for Humanity’s response to the war in Ukraine from the early days of the war.

We hope that this video, kindly provided by Habitat, will show the difference that your prayerful and practical support has made to families and individuals who are now building a new life.

Parishes are very welcome to show this video in services and other activities.  It can be downloaded from the following page on our Vimeo website: https://vimeo.com/873705717

Bishops’ Appeal is the Church of Ireland’s World Aid and Development Programme. It was set up by the Bishops of the Church in 1972 in response to the commands in the Bible to bring good news to the poor and relief to the suffering.

A registered charity in the Republic of Ireland (20019068) and in Northern Ireland (101325).

Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development has launched a disaster appeal in response to the catastrophic flooding in Libya. The floods, which were triggered by a Mediterranean storm, were focused on the city of Derna where almost 4,000 people are known to have died and over 9,000 are missing after torrents of rain and debris swept away entire districts. 

Some 37,000 people in flood-affected areas have been displaced by the storm. The huge number displaced highlights the immediate humanitarian need for survivors now (facing needs of clean water, food, shelter, utensils and clothing), and into the coming months and years (rebuilding, reuniting, finding a safe place to call home). 

Support on the ground 

This disaster has hit a country that already had a very complicated political situation, with power struggles leading to two opposing governments within Libya, and this has compounded the challenge of getting aid and support into the country. 

The Bishops’ Appeal will be channelling all funds through Christian Aid who are working with Dan Church Aid (DCA), its ACT Alliance partner, who have had an established presence in Libya since 2011, providing a confidence that those on the ground have a clear understanding of the situation and how money raised in our parishes can be used most effectively. We are grateful for the confidence that this gives us that all money raised will be used to benefit those in greatest need. 

DCA is providing medical support, helping to establish shelters to host homeless families, and distributing basic items such as blankets and bedding, sanitation and hygiene items and other essentials to these people who have lost everything. 

Endorsement from Archbishops 

Calling for support for the appeal, Archbishop John McDowell remarked: “I wish to thank those involved in Bishops’ Appeal for their prompt reaction in making this provision and would encourage the members of the Church of Ireland to continue to give generously.” 

Archbishop Michael Jackson added: “The plight of children, women and men in Libya is unthinkable. It is also a reality.  Members of the Church of Ireland working through Bishops’ Appeal have always been generous in responding to devastation and need.  I encourage you to pray for and to contribute to this appeal.” 

How you can help 

The Bishops’ Appeal has already released £10,000 in Emergency Aid from its reserves (currently equivalent to €11,500), and all monies raised by this appeal across the Church of Ireland will be additional funds to help with the disaster relief. 

Parishes are asked to collect funds for this appeal for the next few weeks, and send all donations directly to Bishops’ Appeal, Church of Ireland House, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D07 CF67. 

The Bishops’ Appeal is registered as a charity in Northern Ireland (101325) and in the Republic of Ireland (20019068), and those wishing to give with additional Gift Aid, or Tax Relief on gifts over €250, will find the relevant information – along with an option to give online – at this link: https://bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give  

For further information about Dan Church Aid, please visit www.danchurchaid.org. The ACT Alliance is a network of 146 church-based member organisations working in long-term development, advocacy and humanitarian assistance in 127 countries around the world. Readers can find out more about its website: www.actalliance.org  

Next week Mothers’ Union host two ground breaking ‘Changing The Story ‘ Conferences. With 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men affected in Ireland, domestic abuse is endemic in our communities.

So often this issue has been brushed under the carpet.  ‘Changing The Story’ seeks to explore why and how we, as a church people, can work together to become safer and supportive compassionate communities.

Together with church leaders, partners and professionals, we are particularly pleased to welcome two well known keynote speakers in this field, Bekah Legg, Restored, and Rev Dr Helen Paynter, theologian and author.

The conferences are open to individuals and groups from all denominations and churches. Small steps make a difference –  let’s work together to change this story and create safe spaces for all.

Tickets are still available through Eventbrite …. book yours today……

Friday 15^th September in Seagoe Parish Centre, Portadown, BT63 5HS
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/changing-the-story-conference-tickets-632693281637

Saturday 16^th September in Kilternan Parish Centre, Dublin, D18 ET99
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/changing-the-story-conference-dublin-tickets-637371995797

Quotes from church leaders:

‘The home should be a place of safety, security and love and the very centre of family life.  Domestic abuse therefore attacks the very heart and essence of the family and should never be tolerated.  As Christians, and members of the wider Church family, we need to offer a safe place for those facing abuse, and offer them protection, understanding and unconditional love.’
Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh 2012-2020

 ‘How terrible must it be to be afraid when you hear a key in the door. How demoralising must it be to live your life in the home you have created against the dark background of control and belittlement. Yet, this is the reality in many homes across Ireland today as 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men live the terror of walking a journey with abuse.’

A civilised and compassionate society should do everything in its power to root out domestic abuse. And every Christian should help where they can.’
The Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh

‘Domestic abuse is all the more devastating because so often it is invisible except to the person who suffers and to the person who does violence to that person. The light goes out on life itself through the stripping out of personality, dignity and humanity itself. Domestic abuse is not an accident; it is a deliberate act of cruelty.’
The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin & Glendalough

“One of the most important things that churches, and communities of faith can do is to stand up and speak out for justice and dignity for all.”
The Right Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

The Revd. Luke Pratt has been appointed as Bishop’s Curate of the Drumcliffe Group of Parishes (Drumcliffe, Lissadell and Munninane) in Co. Sligo. Luke grew up in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo and, after completing his education in Sligo Grammar school in 2001, moved to Belfast to study Music and Film. In early 2014, Luke and his wife, Penelope (Pen or Penny for short) moved to Pen’s hometown of Santiago, Chile to be closer to her family. Revd. Luke undertook theological training at the Anglican Centre for Pastoral Studies in Santiago and completed his studies in 2021. After that, he served as a lay minister at Providencia Anglican Church in Santiago and was ordained as deacon in June of this year.

Revd. Luke and his wife, Pen (who is a lawyer by profession) met in 2011 at the Church of the Resurrection Anglican-Methodist church in South Belfast where Luke was a worship leader and Pen had taken up a role serving with the South American Mission Society (SAMS). They have a seven year old daughter.

Revd. Luke will be welcomed to his new position in the Drumcliffe Group at a service on Sunday the 27^th August. Speaking of his move to Ireland Revd. Luke says that, among other things ‘he is looking forward to learning more about Ireland and its rich cultural heritage, to making new friends here, and to seeing more people come to know and love the Lord’. He says his main focus over the coming months will be ‘to get to know the parishioners of Drumcliffe, Lissadell, and Munninane, to orient myself with regard to their gifts and their spiritual needs, and to promote and encourage the strengthening of fellowship and community here’.