"Fairtrade gives new life to poor communities"
Someone asked me recently, "You may talk all you like about the resurrection of Jesus, but who is resurrection for?" The simple answer is that resurrection is for all, from the poorest to the wealthy, for the secure and insecure, for the sick and healthy, those who live long and those whose lives are tragically cut short.
For the church, we talk about resurrection in our liturgy: "…because in his victory over death a new age has dawned, the long reign of sin is ended, a broken world is being renewed and we are once again made whole" (preface for Easter to Ascension). St Paul's Easter challenge was to say: "You have come out of the grave with Jesus, so make sure you enjoy his new life"! (a modern rendering by John Henson).
Enjoying this new life, however, means sharing the joy of the good news of the risen Jesus. One way we have done this as a diocese is through Fairtrade. Many communities throughout Wales are promoting this important work. Buying Fairtrade products is a way of supporting cooperatives in poor and exploited communities across the world, giving a fair price for their products, such as tea and coffee, and proper working conditions.
Fairtrade has recently come in for some criticism by the Adam Smith Institute and this has led some Fairtrade supporters to question its value. But we should not be so misled.
Fairtrade was never intended to replace fair trading practices across the world. It should be remembered that the free-trade system is heavily skewed against the poor. And if Fairtrade can benefit seven million farmers, workers and their families, in 59 countries across the world, then that surely must be good.
Fairtrade had very small beginnings, and many people will recall the early days when Fairtrade existed only in stalls at the back of our churches and at other community events. But its growth over the last decade has been phenomenal. Let that growth continue.
This is resurrection for all and a sign of the new life that Christians celebrate at Easter.
+ John, Easter 2008.
Item from: The Church in Wales