Catholic parishes raise 7 million for Tsunami relief

Catholic New Times, Jan 30, 2005

TORONTO -- A nation-wide collection organized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has raised at least $7 million to aid victims of the recent earthquake and tidal waves in Southeast Asia.

The total amount donated in Catholic parishes on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 8-9, 2005 will not be tabulated for several days. All funds collected will be added to the $2.5 million already raised by Development and Peace, the Canadian Catholic Churh's official agency for international development, bringing the total to at least $9.5 million.

"I am extremely happy that Canadian Catholics have responded with such generosity to our appeal. This is a clear indication of the tremendous sense of the charity and solidarity they feel for those who suffer," said Most Rev. Brendan M. O'Brien, Archbishop of St. John's and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, who had launched this appeal and encouraged the special collection.

Development and Peace will use part of the money immediately to help the estimated one million or more people who are homeless and in desperate need of water, food, shelter, household kits, sanitation materials and blankets. The remainder will finance medium--and long-term projects help the tsunami victims rebuild their lives.