Allentown diocesan capital campaign raises 191 percent of goal

Published: 2004-02-09

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CNS) -- The Diocese of Allentown's capital campaign, called "Strengthening Our Future in Faith," has exceeded its goal by more than 90 percent. More than 19,000 campaign donors pledged about $53.6 million over the next six years; the campaign goal had been $28 million. "While I was confident that our campaign would be successful, I could never have imagined the amazing depths of the faith of our people," said Bishop Edward P. Cullen of Allentown. In a letter to donors, he praised the "astounding success" of the campaign, despite "the uneasy climate of the time and the many challenges facing the church." At least 140 of the diocese's 153 parishes exceeded their individual goals. Funds raised in the campaign will be used for Catholic parishes and schools, the Forward with Christ endowment, education of future priests and deacons, pastoral ministry and evangelization, parish-based social services, and youth and young adult ministry, campus ministry and CYO. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised in each parish will be returned to that parish to cover local needs of parishioners' choosing.

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