The Catholic Union of Great Britain is an unincorporated membership organisation for lay Catholics in England, Scotland and Wales. It was founded in 1870 to address the pressing social challenges of the day and equip and protect the ability of Catholics to contribute to those debates and participate in wider public affairs.
Our membership includes people from all parts of the country, all walks of life, backgrounds, ages and lines of work. There is a wealth and breadth of experience, expertise and goodwill. Membership of the Catholic Union is open to all practising members of the Catholic laity in Great Britain and includes doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, academics, civil servants, politicians, and many, many others. The Catholic Union endeavours to channel lay Catholic experience and expertise in the service of society.
Purposes & Activities
- to encourage Catholics to inform themselves about the issues of the day
- to promote the teaching of the Church across Great Britain
- to provide lay expertise to the bishops and other organisations
- to advocate in the Public Square, addressing local or national policy challenges
- to make representations to the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, and the Welsh Assembly, to Government Departments, to other public authorities
- to work with other societies or organisations which share similar goals
- to support and inform elected and appointed officials about issues of concern
- to convene an Annual General Meeting and to publish an Annual Report
The Catholic Union of Great Britain and the Catholic Union Charitable Trust work in different ways to promote Catholic moral and social teaching in England, Scotland and Wales. The Catholic Union serves the Catholic community and wider society through the commitment of many volunteers and the dedication of our small professional team. The CUCT funds the elements of the CUGB’s work that are in support of the CUCT’s charitable objects.
The Catholic community is one of the largest communities in the country. There are
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approximately 4.5 million Catholics in Britain today.