Bishop fasting in solidarity with hungry Brits

The Bishop of Taunton

The Bishop of Taunton is one of many Christians who have responded to the call to fast during Lent in solidarity with Brits going hungry.

Bishop Peter Maurice will be fasting every Wednesday throughout Lent as part of the End Hunger Fast campaign.

"The number of people needing food aid is still rising. This is an opportunity to show solidarity with the thousands going hungry in Britain today," he said.

"I pledge to fast every Wednesday between now and Easter, and I urge others to consider showing their support too, by taking part in a nationwide day of fasting on 4 April."

Bishops in the Church of England have been vocal in their call to the UK Government to do more to end the escalation in people going without enough to eat.  

Foodbank operator the Trussell Trust has published figures revealing that over 600,000 received emergency food handouts from its distribution centres between April and December last year.  

British hospitals are also reporting a rise in admissions relating to malnutrition.  At health trusts in Somerset, 215 people were admitted in the last year, up from 30 in 2008. Nationally admissions are up from 3,000 to 5,500 since 2008.

People can pledge to join the day of fasting at www.endhungerfast.co.uk

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.