'Roots of Faith' is theme of collection for Central, Eastern Europe

Published: 2004-02-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- "Roots of Faith, Both Fragile and Strong" -- the theme of the 2004 collection to aid the church in Central and Eastern Europe -- "testifies to the history and hope of solidarity with our Catholic family in the East," said Cardinal Adam J. Maida of Detroit in a letter to his fellow bishops. The national date for the collection is Feb. 25, Ash Wednesday, this year, but dioceses may also hold it on the first Sunday of Lent or on another date. The collection "supports seminaries, social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral centers, church restoration, and the spreading of the Gospel through the mass media" in 27 countries of Eastern and Central Europe, the cardinal said. Since 1991, the collection has provided more than $75 million to Catholics in post-communist Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, supporting more than 3,500 projects.

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