Witnesses of Hope

Pope Francis and, more recently, Pope Leo, have argued that we’re going through a change of era - as opposed to an era of change.

A climate crisis is getting out of control, rising gaps between the rich and the poor, forced migration on an unprecedented scale, a growing distrust in political systems, etc.

Pope Leo, building on the ministry of Pope Francis, is showing leadership when it comes to directly engaging with societal issues.

As Catholic leaders involved in Community Organising from across England and Wales, we will gather to shape our collective approach, dedicated to strengthening our shared mission of hope, justice, and renewal.

Together, we will meet to launch a ‘Listening Campaign’ to gather stories across England and Wales around people’s hopes as our world is going through turbulent times.

We will shape a strategy for engaging Catholic schools, colleges, and parishes involved with Citizens UK on our Church’s journey - listening deeply, discerning boldly, and acting collectively for the common good - sharing the fruit of our Listening Campaign with Archbishop-elect Richard in the summer, to mark the 135th Anniversary of the publication of Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum novarum, which began the development of a body of social teaching in the Catholic Church.

Come add your voice, your experience, and your faith-filled leadership to a growing movement of Catholic leaders committed to transforming our communities in the spirit of the Gospel.

We will be joined by Dr Austen Ivereigh, Catholic writer and journalist, as well as former Citizens UK Organiser, and currently focusing some of his work on the way Pope Leo is building on the Synodal work begun in 2021 by Pope Francis.