In July and August, much of the American Church raises donations for the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.

Newsroom (10/08/2021 19:30, Gaudium Press) Not as well known as it deserves to be, the US Church Solidarity Fund for Africa is essential for the survival of the Church on the African continent.

This fund is fed by donations that many American dioceses make for this purpose in the months of July and August. Some dioceses however raise money for this purpose throughout the year.

“Donations to the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa support the Church’s mission to bring hope, promote understanding and healing among diverse peoples, and help spread the Good News of God’s love and mercy through Jesus Christ,” reported Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, and chairman of the subcommittee for the Church in Africa of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“The generosity of American Catholics has a sensitive and lasting impact on the lives of our Catholic brothers and sisters.”

Indeed, the African Church needs assistance from the US.

“Yet Africa is also a continent of enormous spiritual vitality, where the People of God, ordained and lay, share the Gospel with a joy that should inspire all of us to do the same,” the American purpurate said.

“Donations from American Catholics to the Solidarity Fund provide the basic resources the Church in Africa needs in its pastoral mission to deepen the faith of its people, evangelize its neighbours, strengthen its leadership and promote peace and justice. Every dollar received at the offertory or sent online through electronic giving platforms contributes in large measure to making a real difference in the faith lives of individuals, families and communities across Africa.”

Donations decreased last year due to the pandemic

In 2020, donations to this Solidarity Fund decreased significantly due to the pandemic. And even with less resources, great help could be accomplished:

In war-torn Cameroon, 65 catechists received training in trauma counselling and human rights education, enabling them to offer pastoral support to the masses of displaced people who fled the fighting that destroyed their homes and communities.

In Burundi, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference is expanding its programmes to protect minors and vulnerable adults from sexual violence and abuse by establishing an outreach programme in each diocese to raise awareness and end sexual abuse in church and society.

In Congo, a four-day national workshop for teachers will revitalise the teaching of religion and impact thousands of students across the country.

Zambia is a country with so few priests that villagers often go months without access to the sacraments. To minimize this situation, lay leaders from two national Bible conferences received intensive instruction in understanding and correctly interpreting God’s Word.

With information from  Aica