PROBLEMS 0 F unemployment, drug addiction, the physically disabled, travellers, the homeless, and racial integration, have been the principle concerns this year of London's major Catholic community welfare organisation.
The annual report of Westminster Diocese Social and Pastoral Action reveals diversity of work "in a city of nearly 500,000 unemployed, of nearly 200,000 disabled, of 500,000 houses in serious disrepair and an estimated 280,000 with serious drinking problems".
SPA's six person centrally based team last year organised conferences bringing together all concerned parties to tackle the capital's unemployment, the report explains. A leading role was played in drawing up a blueprint for better absorbing the physically handicapped into Church life and establishing wider resources for child care.
Response to the diocese's drug problem prompted the organisation to a six week (one day a week) training course for priests, nuns and those pastorally concerned.
Specialist work included Ephaphatha, the pastoral service for the deaf, while SPA's five area development workers supported counselling for alcoholics, improved facilities for travellers, community groups for different ages, aid to the homeless and community care for Britain's rapidly deinstitutionalised mentally ill.
Copies of the report from SAP, 73 Si Charles Square, London SIO 6E1.