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The world is facing one of the most acute debt crises in history with Catholic charity CAFOD inviting people across our community of faith to sign a global Church petition calling for action from world leaders. 34 of the poorest countries in Africa spend more on huge debt repayments to wealthy banks, institutions and governments than on health or education, with hospitals and schools desperately underfunded. Often, countries have repaid their original debt several times over, without the debt being cleared – because the interest on it keeps growing.

Highlighting the scope and human impact of the crisis, debt expert Kiama Kaara from Kenya says:

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"Debt crisis is not a purely economic issue. It’s every collapsed building, every collapsed road, every child who dies in the hospital because they could not get their medication.”

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A Jubilee year in the Church is historically a time for cancelling debt and restoring equality. Pope Francis often spoke about the need to address the debt crisis saying:

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“More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice.”

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We need to cancel unfair debts, build better financial systems and implement fairer laws to prevent future debt crises. Bishop Richard has signed CAFOD's global Church petition, calling for action on the debt crisis; to add your name, click the button below.