October 2011 to September 2013
Aid to the Church in Need
Save the Saveable - Sudan
Consultation launched to provide Catholic Guidance on the Equality Act
In a letter sent out on Friday to Catholic parishes and dioceses; schools and colleges, charities and agencies, the Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Chair of the Equality Act Working Group, Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, Bishop John Arnold, has launched a consultation within the Catholic community to inform guidance which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales will be producing on the Equality Act.
The guidance is intended to meet the issues raised by the Act which are particularly matters of concern to Catholics, though it will undoubtedly be of benefit to other Christians and to some other religions. It will be produced on the basis of legal advice.
“Much of the Act affects Catholics in the same way that it does any group in society, and indeed reflects Catholic teaching. However, some parts of the Act will affect Catholics in ways specific to them,” writes Bishop John Arnold. “Discrimination in employment is subject to exemptions on sex and sexuality reflecting religious beliefs; questions arise about how far a Parish can restrict the commercial letting of its hall; as employees, Catholics need to know what protection the law provides them; and as recipients of public services, Catholics need to be aware of what action they can expect of public authorities.”
“To address the issues specific to the Catholic Community, the Bishops’ Conference has decided to draw up some first-line guidance....It will also offer guidance on how best to resolve problems without seeking legal redress.”
The letter asks respondents to identify particular issues which have arisen in their Catholic parish/diocese/college/school/charity/agency and to submit responses to the consultation by 15 October 2011.
The guidance is intended to meet the issues raised by the Act which are particularly matters of concern to Catholics, though it will undoubtedly be of benefit to other Christians and to some other religions. It will be produced on the basis of legal advice.
“Much of the Act affects Catholics in the same way that it does any group in society, and indeed reflects Catholic teaching. However, some parts of the Act will affect Catholics in ways specific to them,” writes Bishop John Arnold. “Discrimination in employment is subject to exemptions on sex and sexuality reflecting religious beliefs; questions arise about how far a Parish can restrict the commercial letting of its hall; as employees, Catholics need to know what protection the law provides them; and as recipients of public services, Catholics need to be aware of what action they can expect of public authorities.”
“To address the issues specific to the Catholic Community, the Bishops’ Conference has decided to draw up some first-line guidance....It will also offer guidance on how best to resolve problems without seeking legal redress.”
The letter asks respondents to identify particular issues which have arisen in their Catholic parish/diocese/college/school/charity/agency and to submit responses to the consultation by 15 October 2011.
2009 to 2011
Vision Aid Overseas
670 million people - 10% of the world's population - are disadvantaged by poor vision and a lack of glasses. Vision Aid Overseas is an international charity dedicated to transforming access to eyecare services in developing countries.
For 25 years Vision Aid Overseas have been helping some of the poorest people in the world gain better sight. Whether it be a teacher in Ghana, a seamstress in Zambia, or a school pupil in India, deteriorating sight can have a devastating impact on people's lives and livelihoods. And what Vision Aid Overseas and its professional volunteers have shown is that something as simple as a pair of glasses with the correct prescription can turn such potential despair into hope. Eyecare services are beyond the reach of most people in the developing world. At Vision Aid Overseas we believe that everyone has a right to an eye test, and if needed,
glasses to help correct poor sight.
The Vision
Vision Aid Overseas works for a world in which everyone has access to eyecare and spectacles.
The Mission
To transform access to eyecare services for people in developing countries by establishing Vision Centres, training healthcare workers and utilising the expertise of volunteers to undertake outreach programmes in areas away from existing facilities.
For 25 years Vision Aid Overseas have been helping some of the poorest people in the world gain better sight. Whether it be a teacher in Ghana, a seamstress in Zambia, or a school pupil in India, deteriorating sight can have a devastating impact on people's lives and livelihoods. And what Vision Aid Overseas and its professional volunteers have shown is that something as simple as a pair of glasses with the correct prescription can turn such potential despair into hope. Eyecare services are beyond the reach of most people in the developing world. At Vision Aid Overseas we believe that everyone has a right to an eye test, and if needed,
glasses to help correct poor sight.
The Vision
Vision Aid Overseas works for a world in which everyone has access to eyecare and spectacles.
The Mission
To transform access to eyecare services for people in developing countries by establishing Vision Centres, training healthcare workers and utilising the expertise of volunteers to undertake outreach programmes in areas away from existing facilities.
