Churches and other religious organisations should not expect
additional funding for taking part in the government's 'big society'
programme, the communities secretary has warned.
Eric
Pickles said that while he wanted faith groups to get involved in the
project they should do so "without relying on state subsidies".
He made the comments at a reception marking Interfaith week 2010.
According
to Catholic magazine The Tablet, Pickles said the government would
continue to finance voluntary organisations – through bridging loans and
other schemes – but he wanted churches and faith-based groups to cover
their own costs in the long term.
"The thing that unites all faiths is a determination to look after the vulnerable and to make society safer," he said.
"We
are keen that voluntary groups are supported but we are also keen that
they are not creatures of the state. We think that faith groups have the
possibility to be able to do these things without relying on state
subsidy."
Christian leaders have welcomed David Cameron's concept
of a big society, seeing it as a way to re-establish their place in
society.
Earlier this week the archbishop of Westminster recalled
that the prime minister's address to Benedict XVI at Birmingham airport
last September contained a "clear expression" that people of religious
faith were to be the "main architects" of a "culture of social
responsibility".
The Most Rev Vincent Nichols told an ecumenical
conference: "There are openings with regards to the present government,
which seems to recognise that the marginalisation of faith goes against
the best traditions of these nations. This may indeed be a crucial
moment in which the churches can contribute to the architecture of a
culture of social responsibility."
Pickles's warning may dampen
the enthusiasm – and restrict the extent – of churches' participation.
The Roman Catholic church of England and Wales still owes millions to
the government from the papal visit, while the Church of England has
lost more than £1bn from the value of its investment portfolio and has a
pension deficit of more than £352m.
SIC: TG/UK
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to Clerical Whispers, its contributors or its Team, or the blogspot itself, for any or all of the articles placed here.
The publishing of an article here does not, nor should it be interpreted as, an agreement or acceptance, of the article contents as being factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Accessing this blogspot and perusing its articles is considered as an acceptance of the above.
Seán Keohane,
Editor, Clerical Whispers