AMERICA/ARGENTINA - September 12-13, “Mas por menos” National Collection “to offer the Catholic Church's grain of sand in the fight against marginalization in our country”

Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - “More solidarity for less marginalization.” This is the theme of the 40th “Mas por menos” National Collection that will take place in Argentina this weekend (September 12-13), being organized by the Bishops' Commission for Aid to the Most Needy Regions. On the occasion, the Holy Father Benedict XVI sent the Argentinean people a message, made public by the Apostolic Nuncio in Argentina, Archbishop Adriano Bernardini. In the message, the Pope “exhorts all Christians and all those participating in the collection to contribute to the reduction of the scandal of poverty and social inequality, thus fulfilling the Gospel teachings that advise us to do all we can to build a more just and caring society.” In showing “his great gratitude to all those who will contribute to the success of this campaign,” the Pope invokes “the protection of Our Lady of Lujan,” Patroness of the Country.
Bishop Adolfo A. Uriona, President of the Bishops' Commission said that “our greatest desire, is to offer the Catholic Church's grain of sand in the fight against marginalization in our country. It is a situation that pains us and demands our response as to why this occurs.” “The selfish and competitive individualism of the culture that we live in, leaves many of our brethren without the opportunity to progress.” Thus, only through the solidarity “that springs forth from love,” will we be able to fight “this evil that afflicts our country.” In this sense, the “Mas por menos” Collection is a “efficient means for promoting solidarity and a a very concrete way for making our Church into a home and school of communion,” added Bishop Uriona. Bishop Fernando C. Maletti of San Carlos de Bariloche, member of the Bishops' Commission sponsoring the initiative, declared that “beginning with our reality and our poverty, we are called to share in identity and mission,” and thus, the National Collection is an invitation to make “the gift of God's love reach all people, fill the emptiness of their hearts and establish networks for encounter and communion.”
The “Mas por menos” Collection supports works that aid a large portion of the population that lives in poverty, in the poorest areas of Argentina. According to the Bishops of the Nation, the Collection could be defined as “a means of making up for the lack of social equality.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2009)