Collection helps restore Church in Eastern Europe

By PAUL QUIRINI- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

While the bombings of Yugoslavia continue and thousands of Kosovo refugees are driven from their homeland, Catholics in the United States, including the Albany Diocese, can assist with the rebuilding of Church properties there and in neighboring countries through a special collection this weekend.

The 1999 Special Collection to Aid the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe will be taken up May 22-23 in parishes throughout the Diocese.

The bishops of the United States established the collection in 1990 in response to the needs of parishes, convents and pastoral centers in 21 countries.

Rebuilding

During this decade, the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe has been trying to rebuild its infrastructure after years of communist oppression, confiscation of Church properties, and prohibition of religious freedom and practice of the faith.

Generations grew up at a time when Church buildings were converted to government uses, religious books were destroyed and priests weren't allowed to celebrate Mass or administer sacraments.

Recently, the Church in Central and Eastern Europe has experienced firsthand the tragedy of war as thousands of Kosovo refugees have fled, and the bombardment of Yugoslavia by NATO forces has destroyed homes, churches and lives.

Who is helped?

Money contributed to the collection is administered as grants to diocesan offices, bishops and religious orders in 21 countries, including: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Yugoslavia.

The collection supports three types of projects:

* developing leaders and supporting the formation of seminarians and religious women; and providing special training to priests, religious and laity so that they can educate others in the faith;

* developing infrastructure, such as churches, pastoral centers and convents, along with media and communications infrastructure; and

* reestablishing social ministry programs, including family counseling, humanitarian aid and pro-life programs.

Mission of Jesus

In a pulpit letter to parishes, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard asked that Catholics in the Diocese join with others across the U.S. in contributing generously to the 1999 Special Collection to Aid the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe.

"Your contribution and that of many other Catholics in our Diocese and in our country will enable the Church to advance the mission of Jesus the Lord and to provide the spiritual and corporal works of mercy for our sisters and brothers in Central and Eastern Europe," he said. "Know how grateful I am for your ongoing generosity and your steadfast concern for the needs of others."

(05-20-99) [[In-content Ad]]