Central and Eastern Europe

Catholics are called to evangelize their neighbors and loved ones by leading them into an encounter with Jesus Christ. When faithful disciples offer a visible and active presence in their communities, they live that calling through their works of mercy, their public worship, and their willingness to share the gospel message with those they meet.

In two former republics of the Soviet Union, which experienced 70 years of communist oppression, the Church is becoming that visible and active presence. Since 2018, the Center for Catholic Youth in the Republic of Georgia has brought together hundreds of children and youths for faith-enriching activities like Bible school, Lenten spiritual exercises, pilgrimages, and works of service in parish communities. Meanwhile, in central Asia, the construction of a new cathedral and pastoral center in the heart of Kyrgyzstan’s capital city, Bishkek, is a visible sign of hope and welcome in a land where 90% of the population is Muslim.

For more than 30 years, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has worked to restore a visible, active Church in Central and Eastern Europe and to build a hopeful new future in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and more than 25 other countries throughout the region. Your contributions to the USCCB’s Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe fund grants to construct churches, enliven the faith of children and young people, and form disciples who live to help others encounter Christ.

More information about the collection and the range of projects it supports can be found at www.usccb.org/ccee.

Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa

When you think of the life of the Church in dioceses and parishes, the first ideas that come to mind might be evangelization efforts, catechesis programs, sacramental preparation for families, or support for seminaries and religious communities that encourage young people to discern vocations as priests or religious sisters or brothers. While such faith-strengthening pastoral ministries are among the visible ways the Church carries out its mission to prepare Christian disciples, the Church also needs responsible administration of parish and diocesan resources. A solid foundation in financial management and recordkeeping helps pastors build trust in the local church and use limited financial resources with transparency and responsibility.

Recognizing this need, the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa supports episcopal conferences’ efforts to train pastors, administrators, and financial staff in budgeting, management, and procedures to improve transparency and accountability. A Solidarity Fund grant to the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon helped the Diocese of Ngaoundéré train 136 members of 29 parish councils in these skills, empowering them to manage financial matters with competence and reliability. The Solidarity Fund also granted funds to the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (in the Democratic Republic of Congo) to conduct financial management training for 121 diocesan and parish staff from the Diocese of Buta. Through this training, the diocese has prepared diocesan clergy and parish staff to manage development projects, social ministries, and parish resources, thereby becoming better and more effective ministers to those they serve.

By participating in the collection for the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa, you show your dedication to the growing African Church and its commitment to being good stewards of resources, building trust, and delivering the Gospel to all.

Please be generous through the offertory collection envelope or your parish’s e-offertory platform. To learn more about the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa, visit www.usccb.org/africa.