Bishops' Appeal Committee
Bishops' Appeal Annual Newsletter Launched
On Tuesday 20th September, in Church House Dublin, the Bishop’s Appeal Newsletter for 2005/2006 was launched by the Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev. Dr. Robin Eames.
Speaking at the launch, Archbishop Eames said that, through the work of Bishops’ Appeal, the Church of Ireland puts into effect Christ’s teaching to help those less well off than ourselves. He spoke of how the three phrases in the Newsletter summed up the purpose of the organisation – “Serving God, Serving the Poor, Serving the Church�.
The year covered by the Newsletter saw Bishops’ Appeal involved in two major events, in addition to its ongoing work in the areas of Health, Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture, Education and Emergency Relief. These events were the Asian Tsunami disaster and the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign.
The devastating impact of the Asian tsunami demonstrated our vulnerability to the forces of nature. There was a magnificent response to the appeal for donations to help relieve the suffering and devastation caused and donations over €620,000 and £400,000 were received.
Bishops’ Appeal signed up as a supporter of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. More than 30,000 people die every day as a result of poverty and Bishops’ Appeal supporters were present at the campaign rallies in Belfast, Dublin and Edinburgh in the lead up to the G8 meeting in Scotland in July. They joined in the calls for Trade Justice, Drop the Debt and More and Better Aid.
Thanks to the generosity of contributors, projects supported by Bishops’ Appeal include HIV/AIDS awareness and support for sufferers, school building, vocational training, community development literacy projects, water supply, agricultural development, solar electrification, micro credit schemes and emergency aid to Darfur, South Africa, Orissa, Grenada and Iraq.
We can help reduce the suffering of the people in the developing world through our continued support for Bishops’ Appeal.
Left to right: Revd Olive Donohoe, Revd Percy Patterson, Mr Martin O'Connor, Very Revd Michael Burrows and Most Revd Dr Robin Eames at the launch