Poor Mission Sunday could have ‘devastating effect’

World Missions Ireland (WMI) are appealing for donations to support the “life-giving work of missionaries” as Covid-19 threatens their main fundraising event.

The annual World Mission Sunday (WMS) collection takes place around the world, but church closures and recessions could mean a significant reduction in donations, said Fr Michael O’Sullivan, national director of WMI.

“As an organisation we look after the poorest of the poor, whether it be in Africa, Asia or South America, so this is a very important time for us,” he told The Irish Catholic.

“Missionaries all over the world – seminaries, parishes, dioceses – are depending very much on this support that comes from the Faithful in the pews,” he continued.

“Obviously it will have a devastating effect if we’re not able to support them in the way that we have been for many years.”

Funds

Last year, the World Mission Sunday appeal raised over €1.6 million and while WMI have pursued other means of raising funds, WMS remains their most important collection.

“In many of the mission countries, there’s great mission activity with many new parishes and many new ordinations – our support is essential to their basic running costs,” Fr Michael said.

In a statement from WMI, they explain that “in many poorer inaccessible parishes, it is missionaries who are on the front line; the implications in the months ahead will be devastating”.

“Covid-19 adds even more challenges for these women and men, many of whom are in war-torn countries; remote areas where political conflicts, violent protests, extreme poverty, malnutrition and diseases are rife.”

This year, WMS takes place on over the weekend of October 18. Its theme is ‘Together we can do more: blessed are the peacemakers’.

The collection goes towards the day-to-day costs of running churches, parishes and seminaries around the world.