Catholics must support the Church, say Argentinian bishops

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb 20, 2008 / 12:00 pm

 

In a letter addressed to the Catholic faithful of the country, the bishops of Argentina reiterated that all Catholics are responsible for financially supporting the Church.

The bishops are preparing for a tithing drive on the weekend of March 2 to encourage Catholics to contribute to their parishes and dioceses and to inform them about the Church’s activities.

In their letter they recalled their statement ten years ago on the same issue, noting that since then, “we have been working with determination and hope to help the baptized live out their responsibility to sustain the great family of the Church that we form and that wishes to be present with you at every moment of your lives.  God, our Father, has shared the riches of his gifts with us.  Jesus, the Son of God and our brother, died to save us.  The Spirit gives us strength to live the Gospel and to bring the message of love and salvation to our brethren.  Let us live our faith with joy and commitment, placing our gifts at the service of communion,” the said.

The bishops stressed that each person is “unique and irreplaceable, as is each member of your family.  Your time and talents are necessary so that your community has the warmth of a home and can thus welcome all, especially those who are unprotected, the poor and the suffering.”

They encouraged Argentinean Catholics to “continue helping your community that needs it so much, placing your gifts and material goods at the service of the work of evangelization.”

“We are all Church and we are all family.  It’s time to share what we are and what we have so that the message of salvation reaches all,” the bishops said.