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Casey review praises contribution of religion to social cohesion


Dame Louise Casey

Dame Louise Casey

The Casey Review, into integration and opportunity in isolated and deprived communities, published yesterday by the Department for Communities and Local Government , has found that segregation and social exclusion are at "worrying levels" in some areas of Britain. But Dame Louise Casey has praised the work of the Caritas Social Action Network as part of a "rich tradition of religion as a force for good in this country."

In section 8.2 of the review, highlighting the contribution to society of faith-based work, Caritas Social Action Network is recognised along with two others as examples of faith-based organisations who "undertake social action and help make local communities in Britain a better place to live".

Dame Louise describes this work as "selfless, often unremarked upon in society, but can have a dramatic impact in relieving individual human anguish and suffering."

She wrote: "For all those involved, faith is not something incidental to their actions. It is fundamental: the font, the origin, the thing that makes these people who they are and do what they do. To them, their faith is realised in action: in commitment to others; in caring; in compassion; in an all-embracing feeling of solidarity."

Dame Louise said that in her research she "heard a great deal about the work of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples" in addressing a range of social justice issues including care for the sick, elderly and socially excluded; the education and protection of children; feeding, clothing and housing the poorest in society; and fighting the trafficking of women and children.

A spokesman for the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales commented: "The Casey Review is a thorough investigation into the challenges facing migrant communities as they seek to play their rightful part in British society and Dame Louise has identified clearly many of the barriers those communities face.

Integration is a major challenge and something with which the Catholic Church is familiar because of its own history in this country. Today, the Church, through its parishes, social agencies, and especially its wide network of schools, serves to bring together a wide range of people from many different countries and backgrounds into the mainstream of British life. An example would be a recent schools census which shows that more than 26,000 Muslim pupils are enrolled in Catholic schools in England and Wales.

Building unity and cohesion is critical if the United Kingdom is to be truly a home for all its peoples and the Catholic community will continue to play its part in that mission."

Read the Review here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-casey-review-a-review-into-opportunity-and-integration

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