Root / Catholic Church / Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales / Working Internationally / Department of International Affairs / CAFOD

CAFOD

CAFOD is the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

CAFOD has been fighting poverty in developing countries since 1962.

CAFOD believes that all human beings have a right to dignity and respect, and that the world's resources are a gift to be shared equally by all men and women, whatever their race, nationality or religion.

CAFOD is a member of the Caritas International Federation, a worldwide network of Catholic relief and development organisations.

CAFOD raises funds from the Catholic community in England and Wales, the UK government and the general public so that it can:

  • promote long-term development, helping people in need to bring about change for themselves through development and relief work.
  • respond to emergencies, providing immediate help for people affected by conflict or natural disasters.
  • identify the causes of poverty and raise public awareness of them, encouraging supporters and the public to challenge the structures, policies and attitudes that reinforce inequality.
  • speak out on behalf of poor communities, explaining the underlying causes of poverty and challenging governments and international bodies to adopt policies that promote equality and justice.
  • promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian faith and gospel values.
water queue outside Garsila camp Darfur

"It is the determined work of agencies like CAFOD that has helped put third world poverty at the heart of the political agenda at the start of the new millennium"
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown

two children stand on the parched ground in Darfur

"The whole Catholic community is very proud of the work of CAFOD for the poor and the underprivileged of the world. It deserves our gratitude and support."
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, speaking on CAFOD’s 40th Anniversary

Photo Credits: ACT/Caritas



Latest News

Cardinal joins faith leaders' call to halve global poverty by 2015

Read more...

WYD 08: Final statistics

Read more...

World Youth Day 08: Final Mass and Vigil image gallery

Read more...

Pope asks young people to consider their legacy at World Youth Day final Mass

Read more...

WYD images: Cardinal meets pilgrims and more...

Read more...

Events

Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 2008 - June 2009 the Year of St Paul commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of the Saint's birth

Read more...

World Youth Day, the largest youth event in the world, July 2008

Read more...

Information, resources, audio reflections and useful links for the seasons of Lent and Easter

Read more...