The world is currently facing the one of the most acute debt crises in history, and Pope Francis has called for something to be done about it in this Jubilee Year.
It’s the world’s poorest countries who are the worst affected: 54 countries – from Kenya to Sri Lanka – are making huge repayments on high-interest loans to wealthy banks, institutions and governments, leaving them unable to properly fund essential services.
As debt expert Kiama Kaara tells us: "It is the struggles and the pain and the tears that people face every waking day. Debt crisis is not a purely economic issue. It’s every collapsed building, every collapsed road, every child who dies in the hospital because they could not get their medication.”
Often, countries have repaid their original debt several times over, but the debt will never be cleared because the interest on it keeps growing.
The Bible teaches us that money lending is about accompanying vulnerable people, not about profiteering. But in our current global system, powerful banks make huge profits from the vulnerability of poorer nations.
A Jubilee year in the Church is historically a time for cancelling debt and restoring equality. The Pope has spoken about the need to address the debt crisis this year numerous times, saying, “More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice.”
Here are five key things you can do:
Campaigners in the Philippines. Credit: Asian Peoples' Movement for Debt and Development (APMDD)
1. Sign the worldwide church petition
In parishes all over the world people are signing the petition calling for action on the debt crisis.
CAFOD campaigners and others outside the UK treasury calling for a Debt Justice Law. Credit: Kristian Buus
2. Write to your MP to call for a Debt Justice Law
Our MPs represent the issues we care about. Please write to your MP, calling for action on the debt crisis in the form of a Debt Justice Law.
Father Charlie Chilufya, a priest based in Kenya, has written to parishioners in England and Wales about the debt crisis.
3. Order resources for your parish
Father Charlie Chilufya, a priest based in Kenya, has written a letter to parishioners in England and Wales, explaining the impact of the crisis and inviting them to sign the worldwide petition.
Campaigners at the 2019 climate lobby, The Time is Now
4. Come and meet your MP in July
On Wednesday 9 July 2025 thousands of people will join together in Westminster to speak to our MPs about the debt and climate crises.
5. Pray for the debt crisis to be resolved
Pray that world leaders will have wisdom and that there will be justice when it comes to resolving the debt crisis.