Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – With the theme: “Inequality makes us suffer; let us revive our capacity to share,” Caritas Argentina is inviting all faithful to participate in its Annual Collection, which will take place nationwide this Sunday, June 8. Although there has been a restoration of the national economy in Argentina, there are still situations of great inequality in which many people continue to suffer in misery and marginalization. For this reason and with the goal of renewing personal commitment and in an effort to share goods, every year this initiative seeks to provide an opportunity to reflect as a society on the real problem of poverty in which so many men, women, children, and adolescents live. These people need our support and our collective effort so that they may live a life with dignity.
Along with the Collection that will be taken up at the Masses in all the parishes and chapels in the country, several Caritas groups will organize gatherings and community celebrations: cultural and sports festivals, hikes, and other activities. Thanks to the work of some 32,000 volunteers, Caritas’ services reach nearly 3,000,000 people through the work carried out in over 3,500 parishes, chapels, and missionary centers established in 64 dioceses throughout the country. The volunteers, along with other community organizations, organize activities with the goal of living the Annual Collection as an expression of solidarity and commitment with those still suffering situations of poverty and marginalization.
Bishop Fernando Bargallo of Merlo-Moreno, President of Caritas Argentina, wrote a letter inviting all the faithful to celebrate the annual collection and ask themselves as individuals and as a society whether “the inequality we see really makes us suffer or if we have simply become accustomed to living with it.” He encourages all to revive their capacity to share “from the experience of closeness with a brother or sister who is suffering, recognizing Jesus in each one of them, as He continues to suffer in them and thus, we go out to meet them in their need. From this mystical experience that profoundly unites faith and life, we can build new bridges, form relationships of solidarity and fraternity, and walk on paths that lead to communion, justice, and equality.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 06/06/2008)
