Amidst the present-buying and annual spending spree of the Christmas period, Christians are being urged to reaffirm their commitment to the message of ‘living simply’.

The live simply pledge calls on people to alter something in their lifestyle and to get others to do the same. It describes itself as “prophetic” in its aims and intentions, and people agree to give 1 per cent their income to fight global poverty.

Catholic aid agency CAFOD has organised a service of reflection and recommitment to the ‘livesimply challenge’ on December 1 at Westminster Cathedral in central London

People are being urged to “take the chance to step off London’s bustling streets and spend time reflecting on the call to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people who are poor.”

Guest speakers will be theologian Julie Clague and Jim Simmons, CAFOD HIV adviser.

They will speak about CAFOD partners overseas and ways of responding to poverty and injustice around the world.

Attending the service will be Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor with Rt Rev John Hine, Area Bishop, Southwark, Rt. Rev. Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood

You can get resources for the livesimply campaign here