Dr Karen Singarayer, Vice Chair of the Catholic Union reports.
Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) was hosted by Mike Kane MP on 1 July 2026 in the House of Commons. The theme this year was ‘Flourishing Together: Building Communities of Dignity and Solidarity.
Attendees had the blessing to attend Mass in the beautiful and historic Chapel of St Mary Undercroft celebrated by Fr Christopher Colven. Read more here.
CSAN is a network of 50 Catholic charities across England and Wales.
Mike Kane MP opened the evening with an enthusiastic welcome address that mentioned the preferential option for the poor, subsidiarity and referred to Pope Leo XIV’s hope for a discourse regarding migrants and leadership that counteracts the lack of dignity present in some areas.
Archbishop Emeritus of Liverpool, The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP in his speech spoke about justice, fraternity and subsidiarity and mentioned Pope Pius XI, Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum, Pope John XXIII’s two social encyclicals and Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’. He quoted Pope Leo XIV, ‘In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. ‘
Sir John Battle spoke passionately about his experience after 23 years as an MP and his concerns about the enormous numbers of young people who are unemployed and not in education. He described the ongoing work in his local Leeds constituency to improve the situation.
Raymond Friel, CEO of CSAN gave an overview of Caritas worldwide and the work of various charities within the UK. He talked about ‘reweaving the fabric of society’ which requires coordination and support. He listed several charities that were present at the gathering including Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT), Medaille Trust, The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), Million Minutes, Young Christian Workers, Marriage Care, Women at the Well, Catholics for Aids Prevention & Support (CAPS), the Irish Chaplaincy, Catholic Association for Racial Justice, Stella Maris, Oscar Romero Trust Award.
Speeches were made by a representative from JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) and the Centre for Theology and Community.
It was an informative and interesting evening hearing from and meeting people representing so many charities that were making Catholic Social Teaching a lived reality.
CSAN’s recent publication, ‘Dignity of Workers in the 21st Century’ was available.
The publication is available to download here.