To: The Faithful of the Diocese of Charlottetown
Re: Truth and Reconciliation Fund Annual Collection
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, at its September 2021 Plenary meeting, announced a nation-wide collective financial pledge of $30 million over five years. This pledge led to the creation of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), dedicated to supporting projects that advance healing and reconciliation initiatives, promote culture and language revitalization, foster education and community building and initiate dialogues involving Indigenous elders, spiritual leaders and youth focusing on Indigenous spirituality and culture.
Each Diocese across Canada has made a commitment to contribute to this fund according to its means. Today, I am writing to you, the faithful of our Diocese, to invite your support in helping us meet this commitment. Your contributions will not only assist us in fulfilling our financial obligation but will also serve as a powerful expression of solidarity with the Canadian Bishops in this vital effort.
When the Holy Father met with Canadian Indigenous representatives in 2022, he reminded us that “any truly effective process of healing requires concrete actions” (Address to Representatives Indigenous Peoples in Canada, 1 April 2022). Your generosity is a powerful example of such action. It embodies the Church’s sincere dedication to genuine reconciliation and serves as a visible expression of our solidarity and closeness with Indigenous communities.
On the weekend of October 5-6th, following the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, each parish in our Diocese will take up a special Indigenous Reconciliation Fund collection. I am deeply grateful for your financial support and ask you to pray that we may continue to foster healing, trust, truth, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
“I am deeply grateful for your financial support and ask you to pray that we may continue to foster healing, trust, truth, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.” –– Bishop Joseph Dabrowski CSMA
Our Lady of Guadalupe, intercede for us!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA Bishop of Charlottetown
~Jesu Confido in Te~