In one week’s time – March 17, we celebrate Solidarity Sunday, the main collection for Share Lent, sponsored by Development and Peace-Caritas Canada.
We ask you to be generous and make their donation a special Lenten sacrifice for the dignity and rights of others, and in Solidarity, to achieve more Justice and Peace in our world. When they donate to Development and Peace, they support 73 communities in 36 countries for a total of 4.3 million people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our partners work alongside the poorest and most vulnerable people, and in Canada, we raise awareness on issues of injustice.
Everywhere in the world, and especially in the Global South, impoverished peoples are facing growing challenges. Rural populations are especially hard hit. That’s why it is imperative to defend rural communities’ rights to life, water, land, biodiversity, justice, health, participation, decent livelihoods, a healthy environment and more. We are being asked to protect all those rights by giving generously to the collection.
Development and Peace is the official development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. Caritas Canada, the official relief agency is part of Development and Peace and is also a member of Caritas International.
This year the main emphasis is on the rights of peasant farmers, the small farmers who feed so much of the world yet remain in poverty themselves. Their rights to land, water, housing and other essential needs are often taken away.
Bishop William McGratton, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds us that “Canadians have a duty to ensure that peasant’s rights, human rights and environmental rights are fully respected, not only in Canada but in all parts of the world.”
Bishop Joseph Dabrowski quotes Pope Francis: “Let us care for the needs of every man, and woman, young and old, with the same fraternal spirit of care and closeness that marked the Good Samaritan.” (Fratelli Tutti 79)
A recent report on our special collection for the people of Gaza states that Development and Peace-Caritas Canada raised $2.2 million and that Caritas is distributing our aid where possible given the situation. Mention was made of help with food, water, and medical help among other items. Development and Peace is working with others for a Ceasefire and a lasting truce.
Together, we keep HOPE Alive.
With Thanks and Blessings.
Mary Boyd