@cafod.bsky.social
We are CAFOD, the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. A better world needs all of us.
A graphic featuring a photo of Pope Leo XIV and a quote of his. "Together, as one people, as brothers and sisters all, let us walk toward God and love one another."
👣 Walk 200km
📆 Over 40 days
🚰 Raise funds for life-saving water 🪙
Ash Wednesday is next week and with it, the start of the #BigLentWalk!
There's still time to sign up. ⤵️
https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
A photo of Pope Leo XIV with a quote from his general audience on 4 February 2026: "I urge everyone to support with prayer our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who are being severely tested by the consequences of the bombings which have resumed, also striking energy infrastructure."
People accessing food supplies on a snowy street.
Pope Leo has urged people to support Ukrainians through prayer while infrastructure is under attack during the cold winter.
With partners we help supply hot meals, provide shelter and psychological counselling. Learn more about our work in Ukraine. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4rFVgjv
🕯️ Ahead of Candlemas tomorrow, we reflect on Jesus being the 'light of revelation' as we start looking ahead to Lent.
https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
A prayer for Racial Justice Sunday featuring an image of a dove on a stained glass window. The prayer reads: "Father, you created each one of us in your own image. Yet yours is a world made glorious by its rich diversity. This we sometimes misunderstand, sometimes fear. Give us the patience to build on what unites us, to celebrate our differences and to learn from them. Grant us the wisdom to recognise your Church, beyond the walls of a building, reaching out across all communities, countries and cultures. Give us the courage to offer refuge to those in need, to challenge prejudice and seek justice for all. Help us see that you created us in your image. Neighbour or stranger, always our brother or sister. Amen. Prayer by Yashoda Sutcliffe/CARJ (Catholic Association for Racial Justice)"
Tomorrow is Racial Justice Sunday. Our faith calls us to challenge racism in all forms because every person is made in the image of God.
A better world needs all of us to build communities where all can thrive. See more of our prayers. 🙏 ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4qPUnos
A graphic featuring an image of a person shielding a lit candle with their hand. "Walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
Let's walk this Lent, as children of light. 🕯️
Walk anytime, anywhere for 40 days – raise funds for life-saving water.
Sign up now to the Big Lent Walk. ⤵️
https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
There was also talk of making these central to the UK’s 2027 G20 agenda.
One standout question: why hasn’t the government already done more?
It was encouraging to see strong cross-party support for the UK to take its responsibility as a debt and tax superpower seriously by enforcing transparency and supporting Global South voices in decision-making.
29.01.2026 12:34 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0The panel was chaired by Andrew Mitchell MP and included: Zambian High Commissioner, Macenje Mazoka; @jayatighosh.bsky.social, author and Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Executive Director of Tax Justice Network Africa, Chenai Mukuma and @noahlawmp.bsky.social.
29.01.2026 12:34 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
A view of the panel at the event in Parliament.
A view of the panel at the event in Parliament.
Yesterday, we attended a parliamentary panel on the UK’s Role as a Global Debt and Tax Superpower in the Wake of Aid Cuts along with Tax Justice UK , @savechildrenuk.bsky.social , @bondngo.bsky.social and @labourcid.bsky.social.
29.01.2026 12:34 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
Today, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day and this year's theme is Bridging Generations as a reminder that remembrance lives through us all.
The Church has resources and reflections available to help people commemorate the day. ⤵️
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/holocaust-memorial-day/
A woman stood in front of boards being used as part of the work to replace damaged windows.
A man holding up firewood in front of a large stack of it.
Iryna holding up her cats in her home with the repaired windows behind her.
A woman smiling while stood in front of a gate that has been damaged by shrapnel.
Pope Leo yesterday: "Ukraine is being hit by continuous attacks, leaving entire populations exposed to the cold of winter."
One element of our work with partners is delivering firewood and repairing windows.
More on what we do in Ukraine. ⤵️
https://cafod.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/ukraine
An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: "Putting the person at the centre means educating them to see with the far-sightedness of Abraham ( Gen 15:5): helping them discover the meaning of life, their inalienable dignity, and their responsibility towards others. Education is not only the transmission of content, but also the learning of virtues. It forms citizens capable of serving and believers capable of witnessing, men and women who are freer, no longer alone."
An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: "The Catholic school is an environment in which faith, culture and life intertwine. It is not simply an institution, but rather a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction. Educators are called to a responsibility that goes beyond the work contract: their witness has the same value as their lessons."
An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: "Where access to education remains a privilege, the Church must push to open doors and invent new paths, because “losing the poor” is equivalent to losing the school itself. This also applies to universities: an inclusive outlook and attention to the heart save us from standardization; a spirit of service revives the imagination and rekindles love."
An image of a Pope Leo XIV with a quote on education. It reads: " Forgetting our common humanity has given rise to divisions and violence; and when the earth suffers, the poor suffer the most. Catholic education cannot be silent: it must combine social justice and environmental justice, promote sobriety and sustainable lifestyles, and form consciences capable of choosing not merely what is convenient, but what is just. Every small gesture – avoiding waste, choosing responsibly, defending the common good – constitutes cultural and moral literacy."
As we mark the #InternationalDayOfEducation, let's take a look back at some of Pope Leo XIV's comments on the value of education and the contributions made by Catholic education.
24.01.2026 17:10 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
A group of children in Peru holding a sign.
A girl called Hawa in Bangladesh holding up her admissions test.
A boy named Exovr in the Democratic Republic of Congo who was able to go to school thanks to his grandmother joining a savings and loans group.
A grandmother with her granddaughter in Ukraine taking part in activities to help children be ready for school.
We we find education to be an act of hope.
Much of our work helps young people to make the most of their time learning. Other work we support helps ensure families can have enough money to keep their children in education.
📍 Peru, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Ukraine
#InternationalDayOfEducation
The Traitors ends, but the real challenge begins. Harry Clark turns faithful, will you join him?
Strengthen your faith in the #BigLentWalk. ⤵️
https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
Climate change is the biggest global long-term challenge we face, and I am constantly inspired by the next generation."
More on the visit. ⤵️
cafod.org.uk/news/media/p...
He said said: “It was wonderful to visit Our Lady of Perpetual Help Primary School and see first-hand the impressive work being done through their 'Care for Creation' project.
23.01.2026 16:44 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Ed Miliband pictured outside with the schoolchildren by a Jubilee Year banner.
Ed Miliband sat in the classroom with the schoolchildren.
Energy and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, visited Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School in Doncaster to learn about their Care for Creation project which is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.
23.01.2026 16:44 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
A photo showing a table with a range of sanitary materials in a camp for displaced people in Sudan.
Governments around the world have failed to act with the urgency needed in response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Call on the UK Government to step up and show political leadership.
Sign our petition today. ✍️ ⤵️
https://bit.ly/3NrCCgi
A graphic featuring an aerial landscape and a purple circle with text saying "200km, 40 days."
There are 30 days to go until Ash Wednesday and the next edition of the #BigLentWalk. 👣
We want to make it the biggest yet as we raise funds for life-saving water.
Sign up now. ⤵️
https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
As a penholder on the UN Security Council, the United Kingdom has a platform to shape international action and push for stronger leadership on protection, humanitarian access, and famine prevention.
Sign our petition today. ✍️⤵️
action.cafod.org.uk/page/183860/...
Learn more about our work in Sudan. ⤵️
cafod.org.uk/about-us/whe...
The CAFOD APPG sat around a table for a meeting.
Fatima speaks to Parliamentarians on a video call.
Last week, the CAFOD APPG met and heard a briefing from our Sudan team on the ongoing conflict.
Fatima and Danish let parliamentarians know more details about the crisis, the challenges and the impact made by our work with our local partners.
Today the Church celebrates Peace Sunday.
Earlier this month in his first message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Leo spoke the importance of an "unarmed and disarming" peace.
More from that message. ⤵️
https://cafod.org.uk/pray/world-day-of-peace
An illustration of Saint Francis holding a lamb with a prayer that reads: "Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen"
Tomorrow is Peace Sunday and we can all look to the example of Saint Francis.
Pope Leo XIV has announced that 2026 is a Jubilee Year of St. Francis in commemoration of 800 years since his death and recently shared this prayer. 🙏
Children in Syria have had their education interrupted by conflict. Challenges remain but some are now back learning in safe schools.
See more in this report from ITV News that was filmed at a school rebuilt by our partner Basemeh & Zeitooneh. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4pGR5CC
A graphic featuring the Big Lent Walk beanie and pin badge. "Free beanie hat when you raise over £200." "Free pin badge when you sign up."
Sign up for the #BigLentWalk this year and we'll send a free pin badge and wallchart in the welcome pack. 💚 📬
Succeed in raising over £200 and we'll recognise your contribution with a free beanie. 💝
Sign up today. ⤵️
https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
Learn more about what we do in Ukraine. ⤵️
cafod.org.uk/about-us/whe...
2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022.
People are spending months in temporary shelters due to air strikes. In response, our partners are providing shelter, warmth, food and more amidst sub-zero temperatures.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gv27517yxo
How does debt play such an important role in deepening food insecurity?
It diverts resources away from agriculture and encourages countries to grow crops for export.
Find out more about these issues and what can be done to build food security. ⤵️
https://bit.ly/49iLwUv
