Dear Sisters and Brothers,

One of the points that I emphasised strongly during our Autumn Meetings in preparation for the Millennium Jubilee was that the poor should have pride of place in anything we were planning. I return to this point as we set out on our Lenten journey.

CAFOD have suggested that such solidarity with the poor can be best achieved if we – as a diocese and as parishes – make a "New Covenant with the Poor." I very much favour this but I realise that it will entail a considerable amount of thought and planning.

If it is to express a zeal preferential option for the poor, both at home and abroad, then this Covenant – this solemn promise must have the support of the whole diocese. It must not just be a token gesture – signed by the Bishop and then forgotten – but a rea1 act of commitment by us all, bishop, priests, religious and people of the Church in Portsmouth.

There are all sorts of things we can do and I highlight just three possibilities here.

l) We can renew the commitments we already have to the Family Fast Days and the support of projects, already undertaken, both at home and overseas.

2) We can look for new commitments and, perhaps, fund them by the donation of a percentage of our parish or diocesan income.

3) We can become more aware of the campaign for the cancellation of Third World Debt, and support those who are already involved in this campaign, such as members of our own Justice and Peace Commission.

No two Covenants will be the same in detail because parishes vary so much but we will be making a commitment as a community and this will be a sign of hope and inspiration to the wider world in which we live.

These issues cannot be forced; they need to be thoroughly discussed in our communities and parishes so that proper plans can be made. I will certainly he bringing the matter to the Diocesan Finance Committee so that the diocese too can be fully involved.

The undertakings we hope to make are solemn promises and they require all the seriousness and commitment we can give them this is what "Covenant" really means. The poor need to hear our voices raised on their behalf and we are pledging ourselves to do just that.

As we commence this season of Lent – a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving – we need to pray for generous spirits and for "hearts made of flesh" so that we can respond selflessly and warmly to the needs of the poor who are always with us.

May Gad bless you all,

With blessings and prayers,

To be read or made available to all parishes and communities on the weekend of February 8^th/9^th.