AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “Sharing with joy” Lenten charity campaign in aid of thousands of homeless Colombians victims of natural disasters or manmade violence

Tuesday, 28 February 2006

Bogota (Fides Service) - Colombians forced out of their homes by natural disasters or man made violence will be the first to benefit from a the funds raised by the annual Lenten charity campaign organised by the Colombian Bishops’ Conference with the slogan “Sharing with Joy”. The campaign, first organised in 1982 by the Bishops’ National Office for Social Pastoral (SNPS) starts on Ash Wednesday and closes on Easter Sunday. It has two main objectives: promote the formation of a spirit of solidarity to assist with more humanity and effectiveness the many men and women in Colombia living in extreme poverty; and secondly to contribute to the National Emergency Fund active all years round to assist victims of sudden natural disasters or man made violence.
The campaign this year focuses on the theme of work, but it is a call to show solidarity with people living in difficult situations, people displaced because of natural tragedies. The campaign was presented to the public on 22 February by Bishop Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga, President of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference and Mgr. Héctor Fabio Henao, director of the national office for social pastoral. Around 80% of the funds collected will be distributed to the homeless and the remaining 20% will go to the national emergency fund. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/2/2006 - righe 19, parole 250)


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