For more information, contact Monica Yehle / Director of Programs & Development, (212) 563-8706; myehle@propfaith.org
Pontifical Mission Societies establish Solidarity Fund
for long-term support of Church in Southeast Asia
NEW YORK - The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the United States have established a
special fund for long-term assistance for the Church in Southeast Asia, with special emphasis on
the Church in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India.
We applaud and encourage support of the efforts of social service and relief agencies, such as
Catholic Relief Services, who are responding to the immediate and overwhelming needs of our
suffering brothers and sisters in that part of the world, said Monsignor John E. Kozar, PMS
national director. These Societies, which include the Propagation of the Faith and the Holy
Childhood Association, are the basic means of support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs
in 1,150 mission dioceses, including those areas hit by these natural disasters.
As the Church in that part of the world assesses the damages and the resulting needs,
Monsignor Kozar continued, they will need financial assistance as they help to rebuild the
infrastructure of the Church there that will, in turn, be critical for people as they rebuild their
homes and their lives.
Monsignor Kozar has been in contact with Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, apostolic nuncio to
Indonesia and East Timor, and former president of the PMS at their international headquarters in
Rome, Italy. Archbishop Ranjith is now making pastoral visits to affected areas, as well as
speaking with bishops and other Church personnel to gather information.
We encourage the generous hearts of Catholics in the United States as they reach out in prayer
and in sacrifice to the men, women and children who suffer even more now in this part of the
world, Monsignor Kozar said. I would also ask prayers for the Church there, and the
missionaries, who remain witnesses of the great love and compassion of our Lord, and of His
sustaining hope.
Contributions may be directed to: Pontifical Mission Societies, 366 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
10001; please specify: Southeast Asia Solidarity Fund.
The Pontifical Mission Societies, active in some 120 countries throughout the world, work to animate the faithful
to a universal missionary spirit, and to gather support for the efforts of the Church in some 1,150 mission
dioceses in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America. The four Pontifical Mission
Societies are: The Holy Childhood Association directs its efforts to elementary school children, while the
Society for the Propagation of the Faith seeks prayer and support for pastoral and evangelizing programs and
needs of mission dioceses from high school and college students, and adults. The Propagation of the Faith
provides assistance to the Church in Africa, Asia, the islands of the Pacific and remote regions of Latin America,
including aid for the education and support of seminarians, Religious novices and lay catechists; for the work of
Religious Communities in education, health care and social services, and for communication and transportation
needs. The Society of St. Peter Apostle is concerned with gathering help for seminarians and Religious novices
in the Missions. The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious is a spiritual apostolate, working on formation
in the missionary spirit among those called to animate all the faithful in this essential work.
