ASIA/HONG KONG - Over 5 million HK$ collected in 2009 in the Catholic Church Lenten Campaign for charitable organizations

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church Lenten Campaign of the Diocese of Hong Kong in 2009 was able to gather over 5,570,000 HK$ (equivalent to approximately 500,000 euros), allocated to the operations grouped under the title "All for Love." According to reports from Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the amount raised in 2009, despite the global economic crisis, has increased slightly compared to 2008: HK $ 2,237,000 were received by parishes, 2,700,000 from schools; 245,000 from communities, and 251,000 from individuals. These funds have already been distributed in various charitable projects: 340,000 for the charitable works of the 16 parishes in Hong Kong; 74,000 to 32 Catholic schools in Hong Kong, 400,000 for emergencies in Hong Kong and abroad, as a sign of communion and solidarity; 4,380,000 for the 6 charities such as Caritas Hong Kong, etc.. Finally, 135,000 HK$ was earmarked to help the student priests from the impoverished dioceses on the mainland. The President of the Catholic Church Lenten Campaign stated that the funds for schools are primarily intended to promote service projects in the district, organized for students, so they can learn and live the spirit and meaning of Lent. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 18/01/2010)