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Last year, 49 churches and one university from our diocese supported a global church campaign to tackle the debt crisis, but we need continued support, to change the devastating impacts of debt on low-income countries. In the Jubilee Year, 35,000 people signed CAFOD’s petition: let us build on this hope.

We know that all countries borrow money, but low-income countries need to borrow more and are pushed into deepening debt crisis, paying high interest rates to wealthy lenders. Often, they have paid their original debt back, but spiralling interest means they cannot break the cycle. Money that should be spent on food, healthcare, and education is flowing out of countries that can least afford it. Governments across the global south must choose between serving their people or paying creditors.

Wesley Chibamba, Caritas Africa’s Policy and Advocacy Officer, explains,

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"People are dying because they cannot access healthcare. Children cannot go to school. People are going hungry because the governments have debt obligations. Governments do not have the capacity to respond to humanitarian crisis, like floods or drought – they do not have the funds."

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Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla from South Sudan explains that in his country

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“Years of instability forced our nation to borrow in order to function. Today, so much of our national resources are diverted to servicing that debt, instead of paying for healthcare, education and building peace. When debt repayment takes priority over essential services, the poorest suffer most.”

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Next year, our government is hosting the G20 in 2027 - a crucial gathering of the world’s twenty most powerful economies. These leaders have power to fix the global debt system, to make it fair and sustainable for low-income countries.

This is why CAFOD is inviting parishes to sign a new petition this spring and build on the momentum of 2025. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of South Sudan has written a letter to parishioners in England and Wales to explain the impact the debt crisis is having on his country, and this letter will be shared in parishes.

To read more, click the button below to visit CAFOD's website and download debt justice parish resources. ‍

Source: CAFOD