AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Collection for Church in Central And Eastern Europe

Washington (Agenzia Fides) - “Love is the only light” is the theme for the 2008 Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This year, the Collection will be conducted by most Catholic parishes on February 6, Ash Wednesday, or the First Sunday of Lent immediately following.
The 2008 Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe offers Catholics an opportunity to participate in a spiritual revival in these countries. Through the Collection, Catholics in the United States help to build parishes, support seminaries, social service programs, pastoral centres, church construction and renovation, and the spreading of the Gospel message through the mass media in many of these distant countries that have suffered oppression and persecution for decades.

Since 1991, the Collection that was established shortly following the fall of Communism has provided more than $100 million to Catholics in these countries. These funds have supported over 3,500 Church projects in over 25 countries.

“The story of the Church in Central and Eastern Europe is a story of vitality and growth, a story of steadfastness and hope. Where darkness once seemed to reign, the light of love has broken through,” said Jesuit father James M. McCann, executive director of the Collection for the Church in Eastern Europe. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/2/2008; righe 20, parole 210 )