In recognition of over 25 years of faithful service CAFOD volunteers receive a special honour, a papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV. On 31 May, Fr Stephen O’Brien, Parish Priest at St Martha’s in the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Bexhill-on-Sea, presented parishioner Christina Lucey with the papal apostolic blessing.

Jenny Finlayson, CAFOD’s representative in the Diocese, thanked Christina for her longstanding support of CAFOD in the parish, which began over a quarter of a century ago, when she volunteered with her late husband Denis, and they both took part in Jubilee marches internationally in 2000 for debt cancellation, which achieved significant success.

Through Christina therefore, her parish community has come to know more about CAFOD’s work overseas. Her service to CAFOD over the years has included organising parish fundraising collections, local events, petition signings for campaigns, organising "Parliament in your Parish" during lockdown, liaising with her local MPs about CAFOD’s work, undertaking CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk as well as attending campaign rallies in London and regularly attending online CAFOD webinars and local CAFOD deanery meetings.

Volunteers’ Week is celebrated across the country during the first week in June and over the next few weeks, CAFOD volunteers in Arundel & Brighton and in other dioceses will be receiving papal blessings to thank them for their support. Christine Allen, CAFOD Director and CEO, said:

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“It is an honour to receive Pope Leo’s blessing, this highlights the significant role that volunteers play in strengthening communities and building a better world. Volunteers such as Christina continue to inspire all of us through their service. Their example reminds us of the importance of working for the common good.”

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Source: CAFOD