ASIA/HONG KONG - In Lent in the local diocesan Year of the Family, the diocesan commission for pastoral care for workers urges families to “Live the life of the Poor for a Week”

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - Catholics in Hong Kong diocese, where this year is dedicated to the Family, have been encouraged to set aside a week in Lent to experience living on about 5 Euro a day 50 $HK, like so many poor families all over the world. The suggestion comes from the diocesan commission for pastoral care for workers. The purpose, according to the diocesan bulletin Kong Ko Bao, is to lead people through the experience the difficulties encountered by poor families to give more generously to help the poor.
A Commission member Bi Yan Ping explains: “Lent is a time for reflecting on the Passion to increase our faith. This initiative will help us experience personally passion of Christ, present in our suffering brother and sisters. Besides material assistance, even more important for poor people is help to overcome moral and psychological suffering and injustices”. The sum of 50 $HK was decided on the basis of official local statistics which say this is the average daily wage of unskilled workers. In this year of the family in Hong Kong diocese, above all families are encouraged to “Live the life of the poor for a Week”. The chosen week will start on March 24. Families taking part will note all expenses trying not to spend more than 50 $HK a day and also reactions in the family. The money saved will go to help needy families in the neighbourhood. (NZ)(Agenzia Fides 28/02/2007 Righe: 25 Parole: 275)