Bishops call for national solidarity

COMMUNITIES and neighbours have been called on to rally together to tackle poverty and social exclusion during the recession.

Ireland’s Catholic bishops said they were conscious dramatic economic events had led to exceptional levels of fear, anger and disillusionment but believe blame and recrimination is futile and distracts from building a more just, sustainable and prosperous future.

With charities barely meeting soaring demands for basic needs like accommodation, food, fuel and clothing, the senior churchmen said it is easy to descend into a culture of negativity, defeatism and despair.