Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the occasion of Christmas Cardinal Javier Lozano Barrágan, President of the Pontifical Council for the pastoral care of healthcare workers launched a proposal for sensitisation of ecclesial communities for the finalities of the Fondazione Il Buon Samaritano, established on 12 September 2004 to support activity to care for people suffering from diseases such as AIDS, malaria, TB in Africa and the rest of the world.
The aim of the Foundation is to help people who are not only sick but also poor, particularly people with HIV/AIDS who deserve a gesture of solidarity from the Church and launch an “SOS to all Christians” in view of the growing AIDS emergency.
“Donations received by the Foundation are immediately forwarded to Catholic institutions caring for people with AIDS, particularly in Africa and Asia and in some Latin American countries, to purchase anti-retroviral drugs” the Cardinal wrote in a letter to presidents of Bishops’ Conferences .
“Our balance is positive, we have about 43,000 Euro but this is a gloomy amount when we think of the 40 million people infected ”, the Cardinal said. We are asking for a donation of 5 Euro so that everyone can take part and also in view of the fact that the poor are usually the most generous”.
Funds collected to assist the sick in various parts of the world are transferred via the Vatican Bank to local papal nuncios.
“If we cannot cure them we can at least prolong the lives of many mothers who might otherwise leave their children orphans”. “The task of the Buon Samaritano organisation is to encourage rather than replace other organisations. There where particular Churches are in difficulty the universal Church steps in”, Cardinal Barrágan concluded.
Info: Fondazione “Il Buon Samaritano”, Tel: 0039.06.6988 3138 - Fax: 0039.06.6988 3139 e-mail: goodsamaritan@hlthwork.va, opersanit@hlthwork.va
(AP) (17/12/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:30; Parole:350)
