US: Bishops, “we need help”. $8.1 million for 70 mission dioceses

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“Right here in the United States, we have dioceses that need help providing pastoral care”, said Mgr Chad Zielinski, chairman of the US Bishops’ Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions, urging support for the annual collection for those dioceses that are unable to maintain basic pastoral ministries on their own. 35% of the total number of dioceses in the United States are considered “home mission dioceses”. They are often in rural areas or in communities that struggle economically. This year, $8.1 million in grants is supporting essential diocesan and parish ministries. The collection helps over 70 dioceses and eparchies in the continental and overseas territories of the United States, including Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Among the examples cited is the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle, which offers spiritual services to refugees from Iraq. “The support offered to home mission dioceses epitomizes the love of Christ”, said Mgr Zielinski, recalling the assistance to refugees, support to catechists in rural dioceses, help to pregnant women in need, and support to victims of domestic violence. Youth ministry is a priority for dioceses like Baker, Oregon, where fewer than 31,000 Catholics live in an area larger than Florida. Contributions from the Catholic Home Missions have also helped young people from the Diocese of Savannah to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon. “They returned on fire for the Lord, becoming leaders of Catholic ministry in their parishes and on college campuses”, the Bishop concluded. Established in 1998, the Catholic Home Missions collection helps to fund pastoral, educational and social projects each year.

Fonte: Agensir