I posted a few weeks ago about some aspects of the great charitable works undertaken by Aid to the Church in Need, (one of the best Catholic Charities, in my humble opinion). I am happy to reproduce in full this comment on my earlier post.
"We would be most grateful if you would kindly display this information regarding Aid to the Church in Need’s Annual Westminster Event on your Blog and pass it on to anyone else who may also be willing to display it. Pictures of the speakers can be sent, should you wish.
Many thanks and God bless
Mike Cowie (Area Secretaries Co-ordinator, Aid to the Church in need (UK)
Aid to the Church in Need Annual Mass and ‘Hope Without Fear’ Event, taking place at Westminster Cathedral and Hall, Ambrosden Avenue London, SW1P 1QW
on – Saturday, 16th October Mass of Our Lady (Feast of Margaret Mary Alacoque).
The day begins with Sung Latin Mass in Westminster Cathedral at 10:30am. Mass will be followed by an afternoon of talks in the cathedral hall. We are delighted to welcome some very special guests from the suffering Church in Sudan and Siberia.
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio, south Sudan is leading his people in south Sudan through a time of great uncertainty. Despite the country’s fragile peace agreement, he has seen his people fall victim to atrocious attacks, including crucifixion. Benefactors are helping to provide hope, funding Christian education at the Save the Saveable schools, training seminarians, Sisters and catechists, and helping priests reach Christian communities with new vehicles.
Father Michael Shields from Magadan, Siberia is a long-time friend of Aid to the Church in Need. An American from Alaska, he chose to serve in a former communist gulag camp in Magadan, Siberia. Millions died here. Father works for those who survive, ensuring their stories are told and their suffering acknowledged by the authorities. He is the author of the Aid to the Church in Need publication Martyrs of Magadan – a book that tells the stories of 15 survivors of the gulags. Earlier this year, Aid to the Church in Need paid tribute to Father Michael’s work by including him in the book Heroic Priests.
Neville Kyrke-Smith, UK Director, Aid to the Church in Need
has travelled extensively in Eastern Europe and, this year, he will give an update on the help benefactors are giving to Christians in Ukraine, where he recently visited.
John Pontifex, UK Head of Press and Information, Aid to the Church in Need
will speak about suffering, faith and hope in Pakistan and how benefactors are helping to nurture this hope.
For more information please visit our Website http://www.acnuk.org/events.php/223/aid-to-the-church-in-need-annual-mass-and-hope-without-fear-event-westminster "
DEar KAte, manythanks for the post and you kind comments. We would be most grateful if you would post the following urgent appeal for help:
ReplyDeleteProtect Christians and other minorities in Pakistan - sign Aid to the Church in Need's petition to change blasphemy law.
Backing ACN's call to change Pakistan's notorious Blasphemy Laws, Britain's leading Catholic, Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews, said: “I have been aware of the persecution of Christians and those of other faiths in Pakistan and I am only too happy to endorse this petition.”
The laws have been cited as the cause of 14 separate attacks on Christians over the last two months and the deaths of at least 50 Christians in the last decade as well as many Muslims.
Please show your solidarity with Pakistan's faithful - and ask for peace, justice and human rights for all people of Pakistan - by signing our petition: www.acnuk.org/petition
The petition will be handed in at 10 Downing Street on Saturday, 2nd July in a march organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association in association with other organisations, including Christian charities and representatives of the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities.
ACN UK director Neville Kyrke-Smith, who will be among those handing in a petition at 10 Downing Street, said: "Blasphemy for us is just a word. For Christians and all people in Pakistan, the accusation of blasphemy can lead to death - it did for Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities. Please sign for freedom and protection of religious minorities... You will be helping the Christian and other communities who suffer intolerance and persecution due to the present blasphemy laws."
John Pontifex, ACN UK Head of Press of Information, will be one of the speakers at the protest.
Please sign the petition and forward to others. Do join us at this urgent protest on Saturday, 2nd July beginning at 11am at the High Commission for Pakistan, Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN.