Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Papeete (Agenzia Fides) – The small Catholic community of Tahiti is working on a solidarity campaign this Lent. “Let's offer a home to those in need,” says the slogan of the campaign that has been launched by Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath of Papeete and is being carried out by lay collaborators who are full of energy and generosity. The campaign intends to reach out to the poor, marginalized, unemployed, and families who have lost their homes.
It will be held in parishes, schools, and Catholic associations, inviting the faithful to contribute with generosity, opening their hearts this Lent to those most in need.
The solidarity campaign will be an effort to reach out to both “near” and “far,” considering the local territory as well as the “mission ad gentes”: one of the collections will go to Polynesia for the “Emauta” Center that houses families in difficulty and the other will go towards an orphanage located in Pattaya (Thailand), which currently serves 800 children including orphans and children from off the street.
Archbishop Coppenrath encouraged the faithful of Tahiti, recalling the Campaign of Lent 2008 in which 2.7 million francs were collected for the poor of Polynesia and for a missionary project that helps families in Ethiopia.
The faithful of the Archdiocese of Papeete, the Archbishop said, will certainly know how to respond with their whole heart and with great generosity to this new solidarity appeal. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2009)
