Fairtrade clergy shirts support new vicars in developing nations

A Nottingham clergyman who launched the first range of Fairtrade clergy shirts last year, is doing so well he is now able to send free shirts out to new African clergy.

Since the launch of the shirts in September 2008, Butler & Butler, the company behind the idea, have been working hard to keep up with demand and developing ways of supporting Clergy in developing nations

Director of Butler & Butler, the Revd Simon Butler, who is curate at St Giles Church, West Bridgford, said, “Demand for the shirts has been huge – far greater than we could have anticipated. We’re now delighted to be able to channel some of our resources into supporting clergy in developing nations. We’re working with a number of dioceses in Africa to supply their ordinands with free clerical shirts in time for their Ordination services.”

The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, who recently returned from a visit to Kenya, said: “This is an excellent venture and I am so pleased that Simon is able to help support our partners in churches across the world, both with the free shirts and also by giving clergy in the UK a Fairtrade option with our shirts.”

Simon said: “We’re very pleased by the success of our shirts as it proves that many clergy are putting their money where their mouth is, when it comes to Fairtrade. The shirts going out to Kenya at Bishop George’s request will be the first free batch to be sent from us, but we also have other recipients lined-up for the coming months.” 

Butler & Butler are keen to hear from more UK Diocese’ that have links to dioceses in the developing world and who may wish to supply their link diocese’s Ordinands with shirts.  Contact details can be found on the Butler & Butler website www.fairtradeclergyshirts.co.uk

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