In Latin America and the Caribbean, circumstances such as traversing rural terrain, a shortage of ministers and lack of resources make it more difficult for Catholics to practice their faith.
To assist the faithful living in those areas, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invite all to participate in the annual Collection for the Church in Latin America the weekend of Jan. 23-24.
The 2021 campaign, which has as its theme, “Share Your Faith,” will be directed toward lay leadership training, catechesis, priestly and religious formation, youth and family ministries, and other programs.
Bishop Octavio Cisneros, auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Brooklyn Diocese and chairman of the USCCB’s Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America, in a video message, reflected on how the collection has served as a concrete expression of unity and solidarity between Catholics in the United States and those in Latin America and the Caribbean for more than 50 years.
“Catholics have always followed the teachings of Scripture and tradition by recognizing Christ in the faces of our brothers and sisters,” he said.
“You continue that work with your support for the Church in Latin America, where families and young people are eager disciples but face challenges resulting from geography, poverty and even natural disasters.”
For example, in November 2020, the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America awarded $3.2 million in grants to support the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, including areas ravaged by natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
Information about the collection, including the most recent annual report, may be found at www.usccb.org/latin-america.