Ireland’s bishops ask faithful to complete Trócaire Lenten this Pentecost

Despite the changing times in which we are living, some things remain steadfast. This weekend we celebrate Pentecost, the recognition that the Holy Spirit has come and remains in the life of every follower of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost is linked closely with Easter and with the mission of Trócaire, particularly this year as we all adapt to the new world and our new reality: “You shall receive power…and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8)

As the disciples received their mission to go out and share the Good News, Trócaire is missioned by the Irish Church to go out to the world to care for the most vulnerable.

Donations made through the annual Trócaire Lenten Campaign, especially the Trócaire box, fund life-saving programmes around the world.

Last year alone, Trócaire supported over 2.9 million people on behalf of parishes across Ireland.

In addition to its vital ongoing programmes, Trócaire is also responding to the Covid-19 crisis. The virus is present in all of the countries where Trócaire works and the charity is providing support in all regions, including 11 countries in Africa where over 100,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed.

We have seen how this virus has stretched Europe to its limits. Can you imagine the devastation it will cause in countries with no resources to fight it?

The people supported by our Trócaire boxes are among the poorest people in the world. They live in communities with no hospitals, no ventilators and no way to keep themselves safe.

So far, Trócaire’s response includes providing soap, water and hand-washing stations, supporting quarantine facilities and funding expert medical care. This work is being carried out in the name of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is our Faith and our commitment to our brothers and sisters in action.

However, the challenges will be great. While Covid-19 does not discriminate, the poorest and most vulnerable people will not be able to cope with this pandemic. And yet when the world’s poor need us most, Trócaire, the development agency of our Church has been unable to collect vital donations to fund its work.

Restrictions

Due to the necessary restrictions related to Covid-19, thousands of Trócaire boxes are still sitting in homes across Ireland, weeks after Easter. This is the worst possible time coming just as the world’s poorest people need us most. We have done – and continue to do – so much to protect each other here at home. Now it is time to protect the worlds’ most vulnerable.

The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference. This virus knows no borders, but neither does our compassion.

Recently Pope Francis said: “The pandemic reminds us there are no difference or borders between those who suffer. We are all frail, all equal, all precious. May we be profoundly shaken: now is the time to eliminate inequalities and heal the injustice undermining the health of the entire human family!”

Trócaire has never faced a humanitarian emergency in every country in which it works – at the same time. But there is hope to be found in the work the agency is able to do thanks to support from people across the island of Ireland.

Around the world, Trócaire teams have been working with communities to raise awareness about hand washing and social distancing through local radio, posters and brochures translated into local languages. They are supporting handwashing stations in villages and providing hygiene and medical equipment. These tactics worked against Ebola and they can work again.

Trócaire is also continuing to provide seeds, food, kitchen equipment and critical savings and loans support where they can to help families cope through the lockdowns.

Each year people from every parish in Ireland fill their Trócaire boxes to support the world’s poorest people, but this year the closure of schools and churches means that support is not getting through.

The contents of each and every Trócaire box.come together to make a significant difference”

Thousands of boxes are sitting in homes across Ireland. Unless these generous donations are returned, Trócaire won’t be able to provide life-saving support to some of the poorest people in the world.

This Pentecost, the bishops of Ireland are asking our parishioners nationwide to complete the Trócaire Lenten campaign we began together earlier this year. Please count or estimate what is in your box and donate the equivalent amount online, by post or over the phone. You can also contact your local parish about how to safely return your box.

The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference to the lives of thousands of families.

We hope this Pentecost weekend will bear witness to the spirit of parishes across Ireland as they extend Christ’s love and compassion around the world.

Bishop William Crean is Bishop of Cloyne and Chair of Trócaire