Collection supports Pope

"Do Justice. Love Kindness. Walk Humbly With Your God" is the theme of the 1999 Collection for the Works of the Holy Father, or Peter's Pence, July 24-25. Contributions enable the Holy Father to offer emergency assistance to those suffering because of war, oppression and natural disasters.

More than 98 cents of each contributed dollar directly supports the Pope's spiritual and charitable works; administrative costs account for less than two cents per dollar. Catholics in the Diocese will join more than 960 million Catholics worldwide in supporting the Holy Father's mission through this collection.

Peter's Pence began in ninth-century England, when King Alfred the Great collected a "pence" from English landowners as financial support for the pope. In the 1860s, Pope Pius IX instituted the modern Peter's Pence.

The American bishops have pointed out that assisting the poor is part of the responsibility of Catholics.

"We cannot be sons and daughters of God without also paying attention to the plight of our brothers and sisters who experience poverty, oppression and other forms of injustice," the bishops said. "An aspect of being a renewed and reconciled people means practicing justice."

In his letter to parishes, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard asks Catholics to give generously to this year's collection, as they have in the past.

"The people of our Diocese of Albany have responded compassionately, even to the point of sacrifice, whenever an appeal is made on behalf of our sisters and brothers who are suffering deprivation, homelessness, violence or other crises," he wrote. "It is, then, with confidence that I place this appeal before you. A generous response will enable Pope John Paul II to carry on his mission of bringing the Good News and mercy to multitudes around our world in the name of Jesus our Savior."

(07-22-99) [[In-content Ad]]