"Justice, peace, solidarity, the right to have a voice in decisions that affect our lives and communities – these values are fundamental both to our Catholic faith and to the work of Development and Peace," said the Most Rev. V. James Weisgerber. Archbishop of Winnipeg, President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and Honorary Chair, Share Lent 2008 Campaign.

In 1967, over forty years ago, Pope Paul VI released the encyclical, Populorum Progressio or On the Development of Peoples, The central values of Populorum Progessio – solidarity, justice and charity – led to the foundation of Development and Peace by the Canadian Catholic Bishops.

"Through the participation of thousands of our members and volunteers in the annual Share Lent campaign, we bring those values to life by helping our partners in the Global South break the chains of poverty and exclusion," said Michael Casey, Executive Director, Development and Peace.

The goal of the Share Lent campaign which begins today - Ash Wednesday – February 6th – and culminates in five weeks on Solidarity Sunday – March 9th – is to make Canadians more aware of the causes of poverty and injustice, while raising $10 million to support the organization’s work with poor and marginalized communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Over more than 40 years, Development and Peace has contributed $515 million to over 15,000 projects in the South with the support of its volunteers, members and generous donors.

In the coming weeks, members and volunteers across Canada will host special fundraising and awareness building events. In 2008, some regions, such as Ontario and the Maritimes, will benefit from speaking tours with "Solidarity Visitors". These are representatives from Development and Peace partner organizations who come to share how our assistance and support helps them. This year, two visitors are scheduled to arrive, Pedro Landas from Caritas Tegucigalpa, Honduras and Wardah Hafidz from UPLINK in Indonesia.

Development and Peace works with local partners overseas on sustainable development programs to improve people’s lives. The organization is also involved in peace building and in rebuilding communities devastated by conflict or natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. It uses 10% of its annual Share Lent donations to respond to emergencies worldwide.

Last year, Development and Peace provided $15 million to support 238 long-term development projects and 78 emergency relief projects in the Global South.

To encourage all members to participate in the 2008 Share Lent fundraising campaign, there is a wide selection of educational tools and publications. These include a Solidarity Resource Booklet, the very popular Lifestyle Awareness Calendar, a magazine describing some of the projects funded by the organization that are transforming communities in the Global South, as well as several suggestions for fundraising in your community, your parish or your school. All can be accessed at: http://www.devp.org

You can donate to the Development and Peace fundraising campaign by mail, or by telephone at : 1 888 234-8533 or by donating on-line.