Cafod opposes Syria bombing

CHRIS BAIN, director of aid agency Cafod, has made it clear his organisation does not support Britain’s decision to bomb Islamic State in Syria, writes Paul Wilkinson. He told an audience in London on Friday last week: “We take our lead on these questions, as we always do, from our local partners in the area, and the clear message we have received on this is that any benefits from air strikes would be outweighed by the inevitable loss of innocent life.”

Bain was speaking after Cardinal Peter Turkson, the presi­dent of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, had delivered Cafod’s annual Pope Paul VI Memorial Lecture.

Later Cafod issued a statement from Bain which it said set out his position more fully: “We understand why politicians want to take some form of response to attacks around the world by the extremist group known as Islamic State. However, our church partners on the ground have stressed that more bombs and more weapons will not end the war, and that the only lasting solution will be a political settlement through dialogue and diplomacy. Above all else, politicians must do all they can to protect civilians.”

Since the crisis began, Cafod has spent nearly £4 million supporting ­partners in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.