“Love the Stranger” was published by the Department of International Affairs of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in 2023, encouraging a Catholic response to migrants and refugees.
It offers 24 guiding principles and has been endorsed by the Holy See, COMECE, CAFOD, CSAN and Caritas Social Action Network.
Our schools are places of welcome and pro-active support for those who come to us with little or nothing, fleeing violence, war, persecution and poverty.
The conference seeks to share good news, disseminate good practice, offer further encouragement, and provide both a greater awareness of issues and a practical approach to this aspect of the Church’s mission.
This diocese-wide meeting coincides with the national launch day for Catholic schools in England and Wales and will allow us to begin our diocesan Jubilee journey together.
The focus will be on that suggested by Pope Francis, namely the plight of migrants.
There will be presentations on the document Love the Stranger and on the work by Caritas International, Caritas Brentwood, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and CAFOD including their Year of Jubilee resources and initiatives.
There will also be the opportunity for schools to network at tables to share and showcase how they are committed to Catholic Social Teaching and Christ’s exhortation to “welcome the stranger” (Matthew 25).
Each school is invited to send one representative. It would be suitable for headteachers, deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers, Secondary school Heads of RE / Primary school RE leads, school chaplains or any staff with a responsibility for Catholic Life and Mission.
To register for this conference, please click on the booking link.
