The Centre for Catholic Social Thought and Practice aims to bring some of the key aspects of Catholic Social Teaching into the wider political and economic arenas, according to Dr Anna Rowlands of Durham University, the centre’s chairwoman, writes Lorna Donlon.

Launched in June, the centre is a national network with links to academics, charities, religious orders and social movements. Dr Rowlands emphasised the importance of the ecumenical and of engaging churches with real practical and theoretical issues together.