West Yorkshire church leaders speak out on debt

Ash Wednesday statement condemns loan sharks and calls for church action  

Thirteen senior church leaders across the region came together on Ash Wednesday to issue a joint public statement on Debt.  The statement, signed by Anglican and Catholic bishops, including Bishop John, Methodist, Baptist, Moravian, Quaker, Salvation Army and Pentecostal churches, emphasized the increasing financial hardship people were facing with rising unemployment. The statement begins:

“Employees and related businesses in Halifax, Bradford and the financial centre of Leeds have suffered as HBOS, Bradford & Bingley, and other institutions have struggled. Increased levels of  unemployment have put strains on family relationships, health and budgets. For many people there is an increasing worry about debt.”

The church leaders, members of WYEC, the West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council, made the statement at Oxford Place Methodist Centre in Leeds. They condemned  the activity of illegal loan sharks while commending  the work of Credit Unions.Significantly they call on local churches to do more, becoming centres of advice and practical support within their communities.  

Introducing the public declaration, Pastor Gloria Hanley, Chair of WYEC, said “ Two thousand years ago, Jesus spoke of finding freedom from debt. Today, with rising unemployment, many pe ople in our communities have financial worries. The Churches are concerned for all people in need, and especially for people in debt.” She added,  “ We support the expansion of Credit Unions, and call on Christian churches across West Yorkshire to explore practical ways of showing compassion and support to people in need. As Jesus said, ‘Whatever you did for the least of one of these sisters and brothers of mine, you did for me’.”

The Statement focuses on  three issues: the Christian tradition of compassion and justice for people in need, local churches, working in partnership, as centres of support for people in debt, and the need for policies that promote a sustainable future in government, banking, business and individuals. The statement concludes:

“Our economic order, our use of the land, and our rate of consumption need to be sustainable, for the good of our person, our pocket and our planet. For all these are God’s, and we are but stewards of God’s gifts. Government, banking, business, our churches, and we ourselves need to be committed to sustainability. For God’s sake.”