It was a great thrill when in Spring 2001 the Church Council made the decision to join ACAT . What does that mean? What does it do?

ACAT -- Action des Chrétiens pour l'Abolition de la Torture, or Christian Action for the Abolition of Torture -- is a French association, similar to, and working hand-in-hand with Amnesty International, which has members worldwide. The basic and important difference is that ACAT upholds in prayer those for whom it is working, therefore doubly efficient. It is thoroughly ecumenical and welcomes members of any Christian church. There are quite a number of handicapped people who also write letters industriously to leaders and prison governors in countries where there is abuse of Human Rights. The number we manage to free is quite striking.

Take heart! It is true that most of the information provided is in French, but letters are known to be more useful written in English to many parts of the world. ACAT thoughtfully provides a model for those unaccustomed to such activities, but you are not obliged to use it.

Translations can be provided for those less than fluent.

A worthwhile action, seeking to free the innocent from prison, worthy of Christians, extremely interesting -- and one learns a lot of geography.

Our aim is to exist no longer! For then we shall have achieved our aim for a peaceful, law-abiding world.