The Enough Food for Everyone – IF Campaign was highlighted at Synod today. Proposing a motion urging support for the IF Campaign and calling on the UK and Irish Governments to do everything in their power to fight the injustice of hunger, David Thomas (Down and Dromore) said that this year presented a unique opportunity for Irish people to make their voices heard with the G8 gathering taking place in Enniskillen the Irish EU Presidency .

He explained that the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign was a coalition of almost 200 organisations including Christian Aid, Tearfund, Trócaire, Fields of Life, the Irish Council of Churches, Concern, Oxfam, Save the Children and many others. They are calling for action on four big IFs that IF effectively tackled at the G8 summit could mark the beginning of the end for the global hunger crisis.

He said: “There is enough food in the world for everyone:
IF the G8 keep their promises on aid and climate finance
IF the G8 stop big companies grabbing land from poor farmers
IF the G8 take action to stop tax dodging by multinational companies
IF the G8 push companies and governments to be open and honest so they can be held to account.”

Seconding the motion, the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd Harold Miller, said that Christian Aid and Tear Fund had brought out cards to be sent to the Taoiseach or the Prime Minister. He urged everyone to sign one and send it. He called on everyone to get up off their seats and get a banner up on the railings of their churches hgihlighting the IF campaign

On behalf of the Bishops’ Appeal, Bishop Michael Burrows, supported the motion. He agreed that churches should display banners.

Bishop John McDowell said that on the weekend of the G8 thousands of people would be in Fermanagh and that it was an opportunity for the Church of Ireland to show they had compassion for the world.

Archbishop Richard Clarke said that the Bishop of Clogher was preparing a statement from the Bishops to go out before the G8 summit.

Geoffrey McMaster (Glendalough) said it was important that Synod sends out a message that parishes can relate to.

The motion stated “that we share Jesus’ pain and disappointment at a world where thereis enough food for everyone but where that food is not fairly shared, and where one person in eight goes hungry. We seek to obey Christ’s command to feed hungry people, to care for our neighbours of all races and countries and to pursue justice.

“As the G8 gathering of world leaders takes place in Northern Ireland this year and the Republic of Ireland holds the EU Presidency until July, the eyes of the world are upon us and we will speak out faithfully.
“We commit to pray for our governments and specifically for the G8 leaders and to campaign for change persistently and prophetically. We call on the UK and and Irish governments to do everything in their power to fight the injustice of hunger.”

The motion was passed resoundingly by acclamation.