The number of local churches in the Diocese of Lichfield to have achieved Fairtrade Status has increased by more than 100 per cent since its Diocesan Synod issued a challenge last October. Then, only 76 churches had achieved Fairtrade status; compared with 162 today.

In October, the Synod expressed its “regrets that, after three years of advocacy, we are still far short of achieving the minimum target of registering 50% of our congregations as ‘Fair Trade Churches’” and it called on all its churches to make progress towards achieving the standard.

In order to be a Fairtrade church, the Parochial Church Council must commit itself to using Fairtrade refreshments after services and during meetings for which it has responsibility; promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight (23rd February to 8th March 2009) and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible; and apply to the Fairtrade Foundation for a certificate of Fairtrade status.

The Diocese of Lichfield can apply for Fairtrade Diocese status once 50 per cent of its churches have achieved Fairtrade Status. Currently, the total stands at 28 per cent.

One deanery - Wrockwardine in Shropshire, is 100 per cent fairtrade status; whereas the least Fairtrade deanery, Wednesbury, has only one church which has obtained Fairtrade status.

To mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, the Diocese of Lichfield has published a list showing all its churches, indicating whether they have Fairtrade Status. The director of world mission for the Diocese of Lichfield, the Revd Preb Dr Michael Sheard, said: “Fairtrade Fortnight is more than just another ‘do-gooding’ initiative. Recent events have reminded us that we live in an interdependent world – but it’s the poor who are hardest hit when the world economy goes down.

“Free Trade is fine – if you’ve got big economic muscles.

“So I’m delighted that across the Diocese of Lichfield more than a quarter of our churches have now registered with the Fairtrade Foundation their intention to use only fairly traded tea and coffee at church functions. But there’s still a long way to go: we aim to get over 50% registered before the year end.

“The trouble is that some churches think it’s a big deal – and that, if they don’t actually serve coffee or tea after Sunday services, they can’t become a Fairtrade church. Well, it’s not like that. Any church, however big or small, can become a Fairtrade Church. In fact, every church should do so. It’s no big deal – but it’s far more than just a gesture.”