Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - Despite Australian households being buffeted by the global financial crisis of late 2008, Catholic Mission’s donors defied all expectations with their generosity to our appeals in 2009, increasing the amount of funds allocated to global mission projects in 160 countries. Figures released today in Catholic Mission’s 2009 Annual Report show an increase in donations from $12.47 million in 2008 to $12.9 million in 2009. In particular, the deep concern Australians share for the world’s vulnerable and impoverished children was underscored by increased donations to this ministry, up from $4.5 million to $4.7 million. Elsewhere, donations to Catholic Mission’s work with missionaries, local churches and communities increased from $6.99 million to $7.13 million. These funds directly assist community-based projects in Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. One third of donations support the work of the Church in outback Australia, particularly with Aboriginal people. “Our prayers and thanks go out to all our donors and bequestors for their support in turning around what had been a decline in our donations in 2008,” said the National Director of Catholic Mission, Mr Martin Teulan. The National Director says that the one area of fundraising he would like to improve in 2010 is Catholic Mission’s ‘Working with Church Leaders’ program, which includes the financial support Catholic Mission International gives to the formation of 77,000 seminarians in 900 seminaries around the world. “In a country like Vietnam there are hundreds of good men waiting to join seminaries but for a lack of support. In Uganda there are devout women who can’t become novices for the same reason. The need to form the next generation of Catholic leaders is an integral part of our mission,” the National Director of the PMS in Australia concluded. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2010)
