Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - Prayers and offerings are the watchwords in these hours. From the mainland to Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Chinese Catholic world is mobilizing all its forces to respond to the Pope and to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti affected by the terrible earthquake. According to information received by Agenzia Fides, Bishop John Tong of the Diocese of Hong Kong, called on all parishes to pray and give offerings to the affected population. In a statement from the General Secretariate of the Bishop's Office it says: "In addition to the collections at Masses on Sunday, January 17 and Sunday, January 24, parishes must also arrange other opportunities to raise extra funds for Haitians.” The concrete ways of donation are listed on the website of Caritas Hong Kong.
The website of Caritas Taiwan, which has already allocated 10,000 U.S. dollars immediately after the earthquake, has posted the account number. Moreover, in an urgent appeal to all people of good will, Caritas calls on everyone to contribute to the population of Haiti that is already in extreme poverty.
In addition to prayer, collections, and solidarity appeals launched immediately after the earthquake, Jinde Charities, the Catholic charitable organization on the mainland, continues its massive mobilization in coordinating aid to the Haitian population. The new president of Jinde Charities, elected December 19, 2009, Bishop Li Lian Gui, Bishop of the Diocese of Xian Xian (Cang Zhou) has asked all Chinese Catholics to continue responding to the Pope, giving a contribution. He also urged and encouraged "all members of Jinde Charities to activate all channels of solidarity, as they did during the 2004 tsunami, the earthquake in Si Chuan 2 years ago, the typhoon in Taiwan last August, and the earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy, last April." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/01/2010)
