Bishop Richard Presents 2023's Charles Plater Trust (CPT) Awards in Liverpool

plater.org.uk

The Trust, which was established in 2006, has awarded more than £3 million to UK charities to date

The Charles Plater Trust (CPT) announced 15 new charity partnerships at its annual Grant Awards Celebration held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday. The Trust, which was established in 2006, has awarded more than £3 million to UK charities to date, with its Trust Manager and Board of Trustees working collaboratively with grant recipients. Speaking shortly after the awards celebration, The Trust’s Manager, Philomena Cullen said: “Charities and churches are at the frontline of the challenges facing our country, so we are delighted to welcome 15 new charity partners to the Plater Trust family.

“The Trust is awarding £442,800 in grants this year, supporting a range of vital inspiring initiatives tackling urgent social need with projects including ex-offender rehabilitation, homelessness, food poverty, mental health, modern slavery, and domestic violence. But what our most popular grant round ever has also taught us is that while charities are doing incredible work, they are also struggling with rising operational costs, more demand for their services, growing societal inequality and apathy for structural changes needed. We stand alongside our charity partners delivering social justice against these odds.”

The Jericho Foundation is one of nine large grant recipients, with their Birmingham based project receiving £49,000 to support vulnerable women and girls affected by modern slavery. Speaking about the impact of CPT’s grant, Louise Gore, a Senior Manager at the Foundation said: “[CPT’s] award will make a valuable contribution towards our employment-focussed work supporting survivors of modern slavery to recover, reduce their risk of re-exploitation and begin to look forward to their future with hope”.

Tempus Novo have also been awarded a large grant from the Trust, receiving £50,000 to support offenders and ex-offenders living in the East Midlands into employment. Steve Freer, the charity’s CEO said: “[CPT funding will] further our mission to remove barriers to employment for people with convictions. This funding will allow us to help so many more people, and in doing so, the partnership will have a positive impact on society in so many ways. Having a good job means more than a salary to an ex-offender, it means stability, security, the feeling of self-worth and the ability to support your family. Put simply it’s life changing”.

Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of The Charles Plater Trust said: "Life is really tough for far too many of our brothers and sisters across the country. Millions are struggling with the everincreasing cost of living, while the vast majority of families on Universal Credit cannot afford even basic items like food and clothing.

“If Fr Charles Plater were around today, he would be challenging us to do something about our unacceptable domestic poverty figures and rising social inequality trends. So, this year, our funding is focused on making a positive difference to the lives and life chances of hundreds of very marginalised people. Everything we do at The Charles Plater Trust is powered by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and ultimately the dignity of each and every person in our society.”

Revd Richard Pain has been a Vicar in the Church in Wales for 37 years. He was elected Bishop of Monmouth in 2013, before retiring in 2019.

Revd Richard said: ‘Having retired from episcopal ministry three years ago, I have had time to reflect on the retiree’s perennial question- what next? The process of discernment continues throughout life and is constantly shaped by context but more importantly by the whisper of God’s voice.

The Benedictine understanding of obedience – hearing the Lord- has been significant to my personal formation. The call to conversion which follows has led me to becoming a convert to the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate.

I have much to be grateful for the experience gained over a lifetime as an Anglican. Yet the call to Catholicism seems natural and spiritual at the same time. To start afresh will be a welcome challenge and I come – as we all do – as a learner and a disciple. The Ordinariate, through the vision of Pope Benedict, provides a generous pathway to walk a pilgrim way and I ask for your prayers.’

Mgr Newton said: ’We are delighted that after much prayer Richard has asked to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. He will be the first bishop from the Anglican Church in Wales to be received into the Ordinariate since its creation in 2011. Richard has a long and distinguished ministry in the Church in Wales. He has many gifts which he will continue to use to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Wales.’

Catholic Union welcomes Holy See Ambassador to Parliament

catholicunion.org.uk

The Catholic Union welcomed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Chris Trott, to Parliament on Monday 10 July.

Former Catholic Union President, Lord Brennan, welcomed the Ambassador, for his first visit to Parliament since taking up the post in September 2021.

The Ambassador visited Parliament to address the All Party Parliament Group (APPG) on the Holy See, a cross party group of MPs and peers who take an interest in relations between the UK and the Vatican.

During the well-attended meeting, the Ambassador reflected on the international impact of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles, which was a powerful reminder to the Holy See of the Christian origins and traditions of the United Kingdom. He focused on the areas where the UK and Holy See were able to work together including on tackling sexual violence in conflict, and interreligious dialogue and “inclusive citizenship” in the Middle East. He also mentioned that his new Residence was within Vatican territory and close to the Embassy which demonstrates the UK’s commitment to our bilateral relationship.

The Ambassador remarked: “I was very pleased to have this opportunity to meet parliamentarians from both Houses and to discuss with them the current UK relationship with the Holy See. I look forward to meeting them again on their next visit to Rome.”

The Catholic Union helped to arrange the meeting, which was convened by the Chair of the APPG, Alexander Stafford MP. Former FCO lawyer and Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, also attended the meeting in Parliament’s Portcullis House, along with staff from the Bishops’ Conference.

Nigel Parker comments: “This was a useful meeting and parliamentarians clearly enjoyed discussing current developments in Rome and the UK’s important relationship with the Holy See.