CATHOLIC PRIMATE Cardinal Seán Brady has taken the unusual step of urging people to return Trócaire boxes to their local churches tomorrow.
He said that while the church recognised the impact of the recession on the Irish people, it wanted to emphasise the even greater need in the developing world. He encouraged “those who can contribute to make a special effort on behalf of Trócaire this year” as the agency’s Lenten campaign draws to a close.
He continued: “We need to have the courage and generosity to address the extreme poverty in developing countries at the same time as addressing the scandal of continuing poverty in our own.”
He was “confident that the Irish people have not become so concerned with their own troubles that they have lost their generous concern for those in need.
“The Trócaire box is not just a great Irish tradition for Lent, it is vital gateway to hope for so many in need across the world every day.”
The cardinal’s intervention follows a decision by the Government to cut Ireland’s overseas development aid by a further €100 million in the Budget earlier this month.
According to Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen, the Budget cuts would have “a severe impact” on the agency’s work in the developing world.
“We know that there are serious economic problems in our own country and that we are in a time of recession. Many people here at home have lost their jobs and are worried about keeping their homes,” he said.
But this year’s Trócaire Lenten campaign was about the millions of people around the world caught up in war and violence who are running for their lives.
“These people need whatever support we can afford to give, now more than ever,” he said.
