Catholics are being urged to support the poor by donating to SCIAF as part of their Lenten almsgiving.

The annual collection for SCIAF takes place at Mass this weekend, and a pastoral letter from Brian McGee, Bishop President of SCIAF, has been shared.

He writes: "Your donations do make a real difference.


"They can provide essentials like blankets, soap and food packs for families who are displaced.

"It can help provide counselling sessions for children affected by trauma.

"We are called to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, and as someone who has seen this in action with SCIAF’s partners, I can assure you that the global Catholic Church is doing exactly that. But we must continue."

Generosity

In the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh the collection this Sunday is for Papal & Episcopal Charities, including SCIAF.

A total of 75 per cent of the collection goes to SCIAF and 25 per cent to the Archdiocesan Care Fund.

Last year £38,000 was raised from this collection; £28,500 went to SCIAF and £9,500 went to the Archdiocesan Care Fund.

Archbishop Cushley said: "With your kind donations Care Fund grants went to Bethany Care Trust (Homeless support), Ukraine Project (rehabilitation centre), Across (Pilgrimages for people with severe disabilities) and FAFCE (Promoting Family Life at the UN, EU and Council of Europe).

"We pray for all those involved in charities which help those in need in the Archdiocese and across the world, including the good work of SCIAF. Thank you for your generosity in almsgiving this Lent.” 

Recently Mark Booker of SCIAF spoke to Archdiocesan staff to let them know more about the charity's work across the world.

He highlighted how donations can support families caught up in conflict with essential food and water, provide safe spaces for children to play, and give a home back to displaced people.

The charity's annual WEE BOX campaign this year focuses on helping communities in Columbia who are exposed to violent conflict and who have little income and opportunity.

SCIAF Chief executive Lorraine Currie said: "People in Scotland are just so generous, and I am constantly overwhelmed to meet with supporters and hear about what they are doing to remember their poorest brothers and sisters around the world through SCIAF.

“SCIAF Sunday is just around the corner and we hope that with the help of our Bishops we can reach as many people as possible with our message of hope, dignity and love – a better world really is possible!

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) is the official aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland. Find out more at sciaf.org.uk. Make a donation at https://pulse.ly/bvxcs5utnb