Appeal reaches globally

"Answer the Call to Global Solidarity" is the theme of this year's Appeal. It's taken from the U.S. bishops' 1997 document, "Called to Global Solidarity," which said that "the Church's teaching on international justice and peace is not simply a mandate for a few large agencies, but a challenge for every believer and every Catholic community of faith."

The appeal goes back to 1939, when the bishops set up a committee for relief of distressed Catholics in foreign countries. In 1940, the bishops established committees to handle appeals for special causes. One year later, the first Bishops' Welfare Emergency Relief Fund collection was taken.

Today, the annual Appeal supports four organizations: Catholic Relief Services, Migration and Refugee Services, the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the United States Catholic Conference, and the Holy Father's Relief Fund:

* CRS, the overseas relief and development agency of American Catholics, works in more than 80 countries. Although active in responding to emergencies, the agency also helps local communities identify long-term solutions to poverty. CRS supports more than 2,000 community development projects that emphasize agriculture, education, emergency relief, small enterprise development, health, human rights and welfare.

* Migration and Refugee Services helps resettle refugees admitted to the United States. The agency plays a vital policy leadership role before Congress and the White House; alerts dioceses and others of legislative issues impacting immigrants and refugees; and provides for the spiritual needs of ethnic apostolates, ministries, migrants and farmworkers.

* The Department of Social Development and World Peace applies Catholic social teaching to domestic and international issues that have significant moral and human dimensions; advocates for the poor and vulnerable and for genuine justice and peace; and builds the capacity of the Church to act effectively in defense of human rights. Recent issues the agency has addressed include the ban on land mines, foreign aid, Third World debt relief and arms control.

* The Holy Father's Relief Fund assists victims of natural disasters and other emergencies, such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and wartime conflict.

In a letter read in parishes, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard asked that Catholics respond with generosity to the collection.

The Bishop told priests: "Know that I appreciate and am heartened by the many sacrifices that you and your parish make in holding a second collection in support of these important services of the Church."

(03-11-99) [[In-content Ad]]