Csan head calls for charity’s presence in every diocese

The Chief executive of the Church’s social action network has said the charity needs to increase its presence in England and Wales, and has outlined a plan to see a Caritas in every diocese, writes Liz Dodd.

Dr Phil McCarthy, who took over as head of the Caritas Social Action Network (Csan) last year, said that the organisation needed to be better known within the Catholic community.

He told delegates at Csan’s annual parliamentary reception last week that in January of this year there were five established Caritas agencies in dioceses in England and Wales, with six in development; by spring 2017 he said that was due to increase to 18 of the 22 dioceses.

“My aspiration is to create a diocesan Caritas agency in every diocese in England and Wales,” he said.

He also called for a recognised place for domestic social action in the liturgical year and urged Catholic agencies to work together and to avoid working “in silos”.

At the reception the Minister for homelessness, Marcus Jones, praised the work the Church does to help some of society’s most vulnerable people.