Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The annual meeting of the Administrative Council of the “Populorum Progressio” Foundation took place July 9-11 in the city of Guadalajara (Mexico). According to a communique issued by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum,” 230 projects presented over the course of 2008 were examined by missionaries and groups working in Latin America and the Caribbean. 200 of them were approved.
Indigenous peoples and farmers form a high percentage of the population in Latin America. The rapid rate of urbanization of the continent and the imposition of the post-modern culture have isolated these people from the social context and from the advancements to which others have had access. Thus, they have been subjected to a widespread marginalization and lack of protection, many times losing their lands in an unjust manner. The efforts of the ecclesial community in defending and protecting these people have been generously supported by the recent Pontiffs. Proof of this concern is the 1992 institution of the “Populorum Progressio” Pontifical Foundation, by John Paul II.
The Administrative Council of the Foundation, made up of seven members (six Bishops of Latin American countries and one representing the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”), in their meeting in Guadalajara, analyzed the various different social-political situations in the countries represented, within the pastoral context of the entire continent. There were also a new President and Vice-President of the Council elected, according to the Foundation’s Statutes. Elected for a three-year term were President Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez and Vice-President Archbishop Edmundo Luis Abastoflor Montero of La Paz (Bolivia).
230 projects costing about $2,687,000 USD were presented. Upon revision, the Council approved a total of 200 projects, costing $2,108,300 USD. Presenting the largest number of initiatives was Brazil (39), followed by Colombia (35), Peru (27), and Ecuador (18). A large part of the sum to be distributed has been contributed by the Catholic Church in Italy and its Bishops’ Conference. The Foundation is pondering the idea of including benefactors from the Americas, in order to increase and diversify the source of income. Since February 13, 1992, the day on which the Holy Father John Paul II established the Foundation, up until this year, it has been able to contribute over 24 million USD, distributed among over 2,200 projects.
The projects that are presented by the Foundation are prepared by the various ecclesial communities and pastoral groups of many Dioceses, approved by their Bishop, and lastly, examined by the Administrative Council. They are geared towards overall development of peoples and correspond to the following divisions: 29.9% to agricultural production and micro-businesses; 33.2% to the projects of community infrastructure: drinking water, fencing, lavatories, and community structures; 19.46% for building schools, housing, and medical dispensaries; 12.30% for education: professional formation, communication, equipment, publications; and 5.14% for health care projects: health care materials and personnel training.
At the end of the intense meetings held every day, the Mass was celebrated in the various parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and at the Sanctuary of Zapopan, demonstrating the nature and purpose of the Foundation in each one of these places. They were also able to meet, for an exchange of ideas, with the municipal and regional authorities of the city of Guadalajara and the State of Jalisco. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 28/7/2008)
