Religious leaders urge Blair to secure commitments against poverty

Published: 2005-06-28

LONDON (CNS) -- British religious leaders urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to secure "solid commitments" against global poverty at a meeting of the world's industrialized nations. A letter signed by British Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders urged Blair to play the "fullest part" in "seeking to change the structures and practices that result in suffering and privation." "We hope and pray that the opportunity will be grasped with urgency," said the letter, sent ahead of the July 6-8 Group of Eight summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. "The security and well-being of all the nations depend on the security and well-being of each nation. A world divided by poverty cannot be healed without justice," said the letter, released June 28. The letter was signed by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster; Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion; the Rev. David Coffey, a Baptist minister who serves as moderator of the Free Churches group; Rabbi Jonathan Sacks; and Sheikh Zaki Badawi, chairman of Britain's Council of Mosques and Imams.

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