ASIA/HONG KONG - “Operation School Books” diocesan Pastoral Centre helps families in difficulty

Tuesday, 6 September 2005

Hong Kong (Fides Service) - As the school year is about to begin in Hong Kong once again this year in collaboration with the diocesan Pastoral Centre the Catholic cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and various parishes including St Magdalene’s and Holy Cross launched Operation School Books to provide school text books for children of poor families. Hong Kong diocesan bulletin Kong Ko Bao explained that Donors were invited to bring school books to the Centre, the parishes or the Cathedral where Operation School Books where they will be distributed to children in need. The Operation accepted not only new but also second hand books promoting besides generosity, a culture of saving and thrift avoiding waste. In previous years dozens of children of all ages benefited from the initiative and grateful parents say they hope Operation School Books will be repeated next year too.
According to Hong Kong Catholic Church Directory 2000, the territory has 323 Catholic schools: 130 run by the diocese, 49 by Caritas, 138 by religious institutes, 4 by lay associations. The diocese also has Holy Spirit Seminary College and Hong Kong Biblical Institute. Catholic schools educate 289,391 students (6.56% Catholics), equal to 30% of all students in Hong Kong; 11,654 teachers 27.26% Catholics. (Agenzia Fides 06/09/2005 Righe: 16 Parole: 206)


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