Bishops' statement supporting Caritas Lent Appeal 2024

The Catholic bishops have written a letter asking everyone in our parishes to support the Caritas Lent Appeal. The appeal is the most important fundraising event by which Caritas helps the vulnerable communities it works with across the Pacific and beyond. We ask that during this Lenten time of preparation and almsgiving, you make a special gift to the Lent Appeal 2024 using the envelopes provided at Mass or online at www.caritas.org.nz

Below is text of the letter, which you can also read in PDF format here.

13 March 2024
Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand
Caritas Lent Appeal

Each year, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand runs the Bishops’ Lent Appeal to support their work to aid and empower the most poor and vulnerable in our society. The Caritas mission, as the Catholic agency for justice, peace, and development, is of vital importance to us all, especially the vulnerable communities they work with across the Pacific and beyond.

The Bishops’ Lent Appeal is the most direct way of providing the resources Caritas depends on to continue this vital work.

For our Catholic community, Caritas is the means by which we help our brothers and sisters in need – upholding their human dignity through partnerships grounded in Catholic social teaching.

Over the last couple of years there has been a drop in giving to Caritas, putting pressure on their ability to fund programmes that serve those most in need.
We ask that during this time of preparation and almsgiving, you make a special gift to the Bishops’ Lent Appeal 2024 online at www.caritas.org.nz using the envelopes provided at Mass. This act represents the giving of alms and will mean so much to those that Caritas helps.

Yours in faith,

✠ Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Auckland
✠ Richard Laurenson, Bishop of Hamilton
✠ John Adams, Bishop of Palmerston North
✠ Paul Martin SM, Archbishop of Wellington
✠ Michael Gielen, Bishop of Christchurch
✠ Michael Dooley, Bishop of Dunedin