By Ultan Russell, Archdiocesan ecumenical officer​

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‘Better Together’ was the slogan adopted by Bishop David Sheppard, Archbishop Derek Worlock, and the other Church leaders in the 1970s. Sadly, we still face the problems they mobilised against – racism, violence, poor housing, and deprivation. At the same time, we can celebrate the links established between the churches, other faith communities, business, the third sector, and statutory bodies – in this instance in Liverpool, but replicated elsewhere in Sefton, the Isle of Man… the list goes on.

An initiative taken by Councillor Jane Corbett (whose husband, Henry, is an Anglican parish priest who ministered in Everton for many years) led to Liverpool City Council passing a motion on ‘Hope Not Hate’ and committing the council to respond to the work of Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR) marking 40 years since the groundbreaking ‘Faith in the City’ report was produced.

I attended the 1976 Forum of the European Laity in Belgium at which Archbishop Worlock was a key speaker. Emphasising the importance of working ecumenically and living out Catholic Social Teaching, he made one comment I will never forget.

 

He told the participants how the Merseyside Church leaders were very concerned about the situation at Halewood and implications for the workers. At a meeting, a Halewood shop steward said: “Ecumenism is about those bishops fighting for our jobs.” Today, the need for leadership and prophetic witness continues, and the Revd Phil Jump, the North West Baptist Association regional minister, pioneered the ‘Manifesto for Hope’ which was taken forward with great gusto by Fran D’Arcy, supported by Together Liverpool.

I feel very proud that for over a decade I chaired the VS6 Consortium, which is the major third-sector body relating to key statutory agencies in the Liverpool City Region, and it is a tribute to the churches and all the faith communities that my successor was the Revd Dr Ellen Loudon, who is director of Social Justice in Liverpool Diocese. I would also like to pay tribute to the Revd Canon Philip Anderson, the Rector of Liverpool and Anglican Diocesan interfaith lead, who was actively engaged in working on ‘Hope Not Hate’ with the city council.

The Archdiocese of Liverpool has been very ably represented in this work by Lucy Rauer, our Catholic Social Action co-ordinator, very ably supported by the pastoral development team.

This is the letter from the presidents of CTMR to Liverpool’s city councillors: 
“I am writing to express our thanks and congratulations to Liverpool City Council on its resolution in response to the ‘Manifesto for Hope’. This is obviously a huge encouragement to all those who have been involved in this project, but more importantly, we believe this is a significant moment for everyone in our city and beyond. 

“With so many pressures on those involved in public life, we do not underestimate the courage and resolve required to place wellbeing and service of the Common Good as such a central priority. We thank you, as our elected representatives, for rising to this challenge. Our hope is that this will remain the case as we seek to work together in taking its vision forward.

“As Church leaders, we recognise there are moments when our call is to challenge policies and actions in public life that we believe to be wrong. We have always sought to be faithful to that calling, but to do so in a fair and constructive way. We recognise too, that we have no less a responsibility to acknowledge our own shortcomings and to offer praise and support to those in public life when it is deserved. Your response to our ‘Manifesto for Hope’ deserves such an affirmation.

“We recognise the longstanding partnership between faith and civic leaders in our city, which has achieved much that we can celebrate. We stand at a moment when we can both recognise this and renew our resolve to continue in this spirit in the future. We note the intent to call an Interfaith Forum event in 2027, and while pledging our support, seek clarification of any role you might require us to take in respect of its organisation.

“Thank you again for the example you have set that we hope will resonate across the public life of our nation.”