Caritas - Diocese of Portsmouth

10/04/2026

A Symposium Marking the 135th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum

Join us for a one-day symposium reflecting on the enduring relevance of Rerum Novarum (1891) and its vision for the dignity of work in the 21st century.

Now, 135 years after Pope Leo XIII’s landmark social encyclical, we gather to examine how its principles speak into contemporary economic realities: automation, the gig economy, low pay, migration, social care, and the future of work.

The day will bring together inspiring speakers, practitioners, theologians, and policy professionals for serious reflection and constructive dialogue on how Catholic Social Teaching can shape just responses to today’s labour challenges.

This event is ideal for those working in policy, academia, parish ministry, social care, advocacy, and anyone concerned with renewing a culture that places the dignity of the human person at the heart of economic life.

Visit https://www.csan.org.uk/news/csan-opens-bookings-for-conference-to-mark-the-135th-anniversary-of-rerum-novarum/ for more details and to book.

31/03/2026

OUR COMMON HOME: ENGAGING POLITICIANS

6:30pm, April 13th ONLINE MEETING

With Bishop John Arnold, The Diocesan Environmental Leads Network & Friends

With the May local elections fast approaching, now is an important time to let politicians know your views on climate and justice in Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. Following a meeting with the Catholic Diocesan Environment Leads of England and Wales, an alliance of organisations has come together to offer parishioners guidance on key environmental issues and to help them engage local politicians in dialogue about defending our common home and safeguarding the dignity of all our brothers and sisters.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/delpolitics

08/02/2026

Today is the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of victims of slavery.

Across the world there are 50 million people still trapped in modern slavery, with 28 million in forced labour. One quarter of these are children.

In the UK there are an estimated 122,000 victims, hidden, often in plain sight in a variety of industries including construction, health and beauty (often nail bars) agriculture, car washes, domestic service, s*x industry and care services as well as in the supply chains of many of the goods we buy.

Last year Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth launched a Modern Slavery Statement and an accompanying pack for parishes and individuals. It includes how to recognise the signs, report a concern, access to training and survivor stories. The pack can be downloaded athttps://cdn.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Modern-Slavery-Statement-Resource-Pack-2025_compressed.pdf

06/11/2025

Tomorrow, 7th November, we start the Novena for the World Day of the Poor. Do join us whenever you can.

You can download a copy fromhttps://caritasportsmouth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CSAN-World-Day-of-the-Poor-2025-Novena-compressed.pdf

17/10/2025

Anti-Slavery Day (18th October) offers us an opportunity to raise awareness of an issue that Pope Francis described as “a crime against humanity”. It is also one of the six Jubilee Social Action themes.

Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Anyone can become a victim, and they are often hidden in plain sight. Criminals use violence, drug use, blackmail, emotional manipulation and control of ID documents to keep people trapped. It is estimated that there are over 50 million people trapped in slavery globally in an industry worth $236 billion. There are thought to be over 122,000 victims within the UK.

This year the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth has published a Modern Slavery Statement, to help raise awareness of this issue, assess where we might encounter Modern Slavery in our activities and how we might work to eliminate Modern Slavery and exploitative labour practices in our supply chains. To read the statement and accompanying resource pack visit https://portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/modern-slavery-statement-on-anti-slavery-day-2025/

“This year The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4: 18-19.

17/10/2025

Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice of the Bishops' Conference welcomed Pope Leo's first Apostolic Exhortation and encouraged its application across England and Wales

05/09/2025

On this International Day of Charity, and the feast day of St Teresa of Calcutta, Caritas Portsmouth is delighted to announce the launch of The Mustard Seed Fund, a grant programme to provide initial funding to help practical parish based social action projects in Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth get started. This seed funding can be used to cover initial costs, such as training, marketing materials, equipment and other essentials as well as early mobilisation costs. The projects should be aimed at supporting people in the wider neighbourhood as well as in parishes, helping us to look beyond our own walls and be the Church in our communities.

The fund will be built up of donations received from parishioners, parishes, trusts and foundations – anyone who is inspired by their faith to love others by generous giving. It will be managed by the Caritas Portsmouth Committee and the team is available to support applications and projects

To support the fund, donate online at
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/caritas-grant-programme or contact us at [email protected]

For more information or to apply, email [email protected]

01/09/2025

Today is the start of the which runs until 4th October. We have put together a resource pack with links for prayer, reflections and actions to help you and your parish to take part. You can access the pack athttps://caritasportsmouth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Season-of-Creation-Resource-Guide-2025.pdf

20/06/2025

It is Refugee Week and today is World Refugee Day.

There are many ways that refugees are supported in the Community of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth through food, shelter, clothes, English practice and social engagement.

There are always opportunities to do more. Get in touch, or check out your Pastoral Area Information pack, available from your parish for ideas.

Another starting point is to read the CBCEW document 'Love the Stranger' available at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/love-the-stranger/

15/06/2025

Join us to hear about the impact of your generosity on the lives of seafarers, fishers, and their families

13/06/2025

This week is .

You can get help and support if you're responsible for looking after someone who has a disability, is getting old or has become ill.

Our advice can help you understand your rights and see what support is available ⤵️
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/looking-after-people/carers-help-and-support/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=evergreen

13/06/2025

There will be collections for local foodbanks in ASDA's across the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth this weekend. Foodbanks are as busy as ever so do donate if you can.

Today is the first day of the Asda Food Drive! 🙌

Our volunteers will be Asda between 10am & 4pm today & tomorrow. Help us to provide emergency food parcels to people in & around Andover.

Every item makes a difference. 💚