Catholics re-examine call to 'live simply'

Leading Catholic thinkers from three continents will gather in London next weekend to reflect on the Catholic Church's 'livesimply' movement and its message to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.

The event is being co-ordinated by CAFOD and Progressio and will include discussions on how the livesimply movement might develop across the world.

Key speakers include Tina Beattie, Professor of Catholic Studies at Roehampton University, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos Province in Nigeria and Maria-Clara Bingemer, associate professor of theology at the Pontifical University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Linda Jones, head of CAFOD's Spirituality team and one of the event organisers, said: "After a year's experience of trying to 'live simply' it is time to consider how we have responded to the challenge. Participants will be inspired, not just by hearing great speakers, but by learning from each other and will go back to their communities fired up to bring the livesimply message to others."

Archbishop Kaigama was so enthused by the livesimply challenge during a recent UK visit he is travelling back here for the conference.

"The campaign for a more humane and just world is possible only if people are ready to make commitments," he said. "As individuals, we need to reflect on our own lifestyles. I want people to take action, not just to feel sympathy or empathy. We have to live simply at a fundamental level, as individuals, as a nation, and as an international community."

Christine Allen, the executive director of Progressio, said: "Livesimply is a challenge to action; this event should encourage us all to reflect more deeply on the faith that underpins our action and inspire us all to be 'artisans' of the change that the world needs."

The second day of the conference will be an opportunity for nearly one hundred leading practitioners of the livesimply network across England and Wales to join the theologians. They will discuss how they can spread awareness and deepen understanding of the message across Catholic communities and make it a more effective movement for change.

Since 2007 when the network was launched, hundreds of events have taken place across England and Wales and thousands of people have made a livesimply promise. The conference is hoping to maintain that commitment whilst retaining its roots in Catholic social teaching and its relevance to the developing world.