fairtrade
Over two thirds of the churches in the Diocese of Bangor have signed an agreement to use only fairly traded goods at all its meetings and functions. This means that the diocese has become the first diocese in the Church in Wales to be awarded Fairtrade status.
The diocese encourages all its committees, parishes and churches – as part of their mission in the world – to ensure the availability and wide use of Fairtrade products in every event they hold, and through further research develop their knowledge of Trade Justice.
Fair trading attempts to prevent the exploitation of labourers and small farmers in poor countries. It ensures that they receive a living wage from their work so that they can feed their families, send their children to school and have a little extra to invest in sustainable development.
The Bishop of Bangor, the Rt Revd Anthony Crockett commented,
As one whose eldest son worked for Oxfam until recently, I am particularly grateful to those who promote the idea of being a Fairtrade Diocese. The injustice in the way this world works is an affront to the Creator, and every Christian should be at the fore in the campaign to right the present situation.
It is good to know that Bangor Diocese is in the forefront in this respect.
Currently more than 250 coffee, tea, fresh fruit, vegetables, chocolate, cocoa, juice, sugar, honey and wine products carry the Fairtrade mark.