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The 2007 Share Lent campaign from DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE moves into high gear this year on Sunday March 25, when a special cross-Canada collection is being held in all Catholic churches in Canada, with the goal of making Canadians more aware of the causes of poverty and injustice, and to make a final push towards the 2007 fundraising campaign goal of $10 million that supports its development and emergency aid projects in the Global South.
This year, the Lenten theme – No Peace Without Development is a pointed reminder that the glaring inequalities between countries in the North and the South, addressed by Pope Paul VI in his Populorum Progressio (Development of Peoples) encyclical over 40 years ago, still exist today.
"When we contribute to DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE this Lent, we are recommitting ourselves to the vision of Populorum Progessio. The true peace intended by God requires our persistence and involvement," said Archbishop V. James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, MA, Vice President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and Honorary Chair of the Share Lent 2007 campaign.
Since its establishment in 1966/67 by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has contributed $500 million to 15,000 projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America with the support of its generous and committed donors, members, and volunteers.
"In all the parishes in the 66 dioceses across Canada, innumerable DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE members and supporters will be working to make this Solidarity Sunday the best ever,” said Bishop Martin Currie of Grand Falls-Windsor, NF and Member of the National Council of DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, "Pan-Canadian events such as this underscore the reality that as Catholics we are all part of one global community striving for the same goals and results…a more just and equitable world."
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE helps people of all faiths by providing development assistance and building awareness of social justice. It works in partnership with well-established local community groups in 28 countries to set-up and oversee short, medium and long term sustainable development programs that enable communities to become responsible for their own development. This includes peace-building projects as well as help in rebuilding communities after natural disasters and armed conflicts.
"Solidarity Sunday is fitting reminder to Catholics in Canada that support of the poor is inherent in the Catholic Social Teaching (CST), whose principles emphasize human dignity and respect in community, with a preferential option for the poor," said Michael Casey, Executive Director, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE. "In effect, CST as demonstrated in a pan-Canadian, community-wide effort such as the Share Lent campaign and activities like Solidarity Sunday provides a necessary value-added dimension. They remind and encourage Catholics to be more aware and to discuss ethical and moral issues as regards our economic, political, social and cultural practices."
Donations can be made to the DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE Share Lent 2007 campaign by phoning the toll free number 1-888-234-8533 (or 514-257-8711 in the Montreal region) or by visiting our Web site at www.devp.org
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE launches Share Lent campaign "No Peace Without Development"
For 40 years, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has worked directly with organizations made up of or representing the poor and marginalized in the Global South, and provided $500 million to 15,000 projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are presently active with 200 partners in 28 countries in Africa, Asia, and in Latin America. In Canada, we are a democratic movement for international solidarity - educating the public about the root causes of poverty and mobilizing social action for change - with 15,000 members from coast to coast. DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada.
The CCCB enables the Bishops of Canada to collaborate in various pastoral responsibilities while respecting the autonomy of each Bishop in the service of his diocesan Church. Through the active participation of its members, the CCCB undertakes projects and activities at the national and international levels, and provides a forum for the Bishops to exchange views on their ministry, on the life of the Church, and on the major issues of the day.
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