A letter from Rosamond Bennett, Chief Executive of Christian Aid Ireland

17 June 2025

The PCI passed a resolution at their General Assembly on 11 June, resulting in a change in the distribution of donations to their World Development appeal. As an interim measure individual churches will now be able to decide whether money raised for the next PCI World Development Appeal can be assigned to support the work of Christian Aid Ireland or Tearfund Ireland.

The resolution came in response to concerns over a toolkit produced nearly two years ago in collaboration with Christian Aid in Britain, a partner organisation, Colombia Diversa, and Queen's University Belfast, with funding from the British Academy. It was designed as a resource to help sexual minorities - who are formally recognised as a group requiring attention in the Colombian peace agreement - receive effective support as part of the transitional justice process.

Christian Aid Ireland is a humanitarian, development and peace building organisation that works for people in poverty without distinction or exception. We were pleased that at their autumn meeting last year, the PCI General Council fully affirmed that in a conflict situation the dignity of all people must be protected.

Christian Aid Ireland does not take a position on either sexuality or gender identity. We recognise that our sponsoring churches hold a variety of views on these matters. However, we believe that all Christians can unite around the urgent need to end poverty and violence for all people, grounded in a recognition of every person's God-given dignity.

PCI has stood in partnership in prayer and financial support for those most affected during periods of emergency and humanitarian need, bring dignity and hope to communities. The support of PCI through their appeals has enabled Christian Aid Ireland to reach many hundreds of thousands of people in the most desperate of situations. People are alive today because of the generosity shown through these PCI appeals. Christian Aid Ireland is grateful to continue our relationship with the PCI World Development Appeal and was delighted to host PCI in Honduras in February to collect content for this year’s appeal.

Christian Aid Ireland has a strong and longstanding relationship with individual churches and their congregations. We have seen time and time again how generously they give to help alleviate suffering during moments of acute crisis. We pray and are hopeful that they will continue to support Christian Aid Ireland in future PCI World Development Appeals.

Read more about how our Christian faith underpins Christian Aid Ireland’s work. 

Rosamond Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
Christian Aid Ireland