The Bishop Of London Supports Autism Sunday

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 05 Feb 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The Bishop of London. Rt.Reverend Richard Chartres is supporting Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations are remembering over 60 million people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in Prayer. Autism Sunday is also being used as a platform for lobbying and campaigning on the serious issues connected with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. It is now an international day and many more places of worship are supporting Autism Sunday.

Rt.Reverend Richard Chartres has issued a special message to mark Autism Sunday 2009. The Bishop of London said: 'Autism Sunday is a way of raising awareness of the impact of the relational and communication difficulties with this condition. It is also an opportunity to consider what we can do to support families and ease the isolation of those who experience Autism and Asperger's Syndrome every day of their lives.'

The Bishop of London joins many key leaders supporting Autism Sunday. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has invoked God's blessings of strength and peace on parents, carers,children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.The Pope will be praying for families and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome on Autism Sunday. The pastor of one of the largest churches in the United States, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California hopes this year's International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome is a huge success. The Archibishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu has also sent his blessings.

Places of worship are using the song for autism, 'Open Every Door,' sung by the Asian superstar Gresha Schuilling and written by UK singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis as a point of reflection in services - the song is also being used in worldwide awareness raising events. 'Open Every Door' is about a child or young person with autism or Asperger's Syndrome and has been released on iTunes.

Ivan Corea, Co-Founder of Autism Sunday said: 'I am delighted that key leaders are supporting Autism Sunday. I urge World Leaders to speak out on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome on Autism Sunday on 8th February. We are delighted to hear that many parents, carers, organisations and faith communities are using Autism Sunday to lobby and campaign hard on the key issues. We appeal to Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling to help and support families with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the 2009 budget. We have been campaigning for a real increase in tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's allowance. 87 MPs in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster backed a motion on Autism and Poverty tabled by John Battle MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty.50 MPs have signed a motion tabled by Rudi Vis MP on Autism and Winter Fuel Poverty. We have called for a special social tariff for families with disabilities who are struggling to cope with rising energy bills. The credit crunch and the deepening recession is affecting us all and families and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome need urgent help and support from Her Majesty's Government.'

Autism campaigners have called on the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stop the re-possessions of homes belonging to families with autism.

Parliamentarians and dignitaries are joining parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome at an Autism Sunday Service at All Saint's Church in Woodford Wells in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Autism Sunday - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome was launched by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Corea, they have a 13 year old son, Charin who has autism. He has been the inspiration behind their campaign - in 2000 they initiated the Autism Awareness Campaign UK and launched the UK Autism Foundation in 2008. Autism Sunday was launched in 2002 Autism Awareness Year with a historic service at St.Paul's Cathedral in London in the United Kingdom. Since then many more Cathedrals, churches and religious organisations have been observing this international day. Organisations are also planning awareness raising events across many nations marking Autism Sunday.

Autism Sunday

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