The bishops of the United States have announced their intention to send a large amount of funds raised from a special fundraiser to support pastoral activities on the African continent.
By Lisa Zengarini
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Church in Africa Subcommittee to Allocate Over $ 1.36 Million to African Bishops’ Conferences, Regional Associations of Bishops’ Conferences, and Regional Associations of Religious Congregations this summer.
Funding comes from the special fundraiser taken each year by dioceses in parishes across the United States.
Support pastoral care and social ministry in Africa
The sum will help support pastoral, leadership development, evangelism and social ministry activities on the African continent, where the Catholic Church remains a beacon of hope in a context of persistent conflict, growing poverty in the midst. of the Covid-19 pandemic and drought.
The USCCB subcommittee approved grants for 56 pastoral projects at its June 14 meeting.
56 projects
The projects include, among others: the popularization and implementation of the environmental encyclical of Pope Francis, Laudato si ‘ in Zambia; train pastoral counselors to support those affected by the Covid-19 crisis in Zimbabwe; promote evangelization in local languages ​​in Togo; the creation of a ministry of men on the model of Saint Joseph in Malawi; strengthen the capacity of the local Church to protect minors and vulnerable adults against sexual abuse in all dioceses of Burundi; strengthen the skills of catechists in Cameroon to meet the psychosocial needs of internally displaced people who have fled their homes to escape violence; and, by organizing interfaith support for the pastoral care of refugees in Uganda.
Make a difference with small gifts
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, chairman of the USCCB subcommittee on the Church in Africa, thanked the many Catholics in the United States who contributed to the Solidarity Fund in 2020, despite their own personal difficulties resulting from the pandemic.
“These gifts,†he said, “will do wonders in the lives of African Catholics, eager to share the gospel, care for their brothers and sisters, and raise up a new generation of Catholic leaders who will work for a lifetime. more just. and loyal company. “
“Even a small gift goes a long way in these countries, and many small gifts added together make a major difference in the life of individuals, parishes and dioceses,” he added.
