Dioceses in the United States should consider having a voluntary special collection to benefit Catholic organizations assisting on the ground with humanitarian aid in Gaza, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a statement released Wednesday, August 20.
In a letter to his brother bishops dated August 12, Archbishop Broglio said he had "great pastoral concern for the ongoing crisis in Gaza."
In addition to his position at the bishops' conference, the prelate is also the head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
"Our Church mourns the terrible suffering of Christians and other innocent victims of violence in Gaza and surrounding areas who are struggling to survive, protect their children, and live with dignity in dire conditions,” he said.
The archbishop continued, "The Holy Father continues to call for a ceasefire and for aid to enter the territory, noting with great sorrow that ‘Gaza is starving.’”
The present situation in Gaza and the Middle East "cries out for the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States."
Make it ASAP
The collections should take place "as soon as possible," wrote Broglio, with funds going to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).
“The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) is there providing vital emergency humanitarian relief and medical and psychological care for the sick, malnourished and wounded,” said the archbishop.
Each diocese will administer the special collection if it chooses to move forward.
