Tuesday 13 May 2008

For the sixth year in a row Catholic Mission has raised more money than ever before, in turn, helping more people than ever before. Even with rising interest rates and household costs Australians continue to show genuine generosity and compassion for communities in real need.
 
Total gross donations from all dioceses around Australia were up 13.5 per cent to a record $14,126,912.
 
Catholic Mission is the Church’s global mission aid agency, with three major works - Catholic Mission’s work with Communities, Church Leaders and Children.
 
Catholic Mission’s work in Partnering Local Churches and Communities raised over $8.3 million (up 19.2 per cent). Catholic Mission’s work in Fostering Local Church Leadership raised over $1.2 million (up 7.7 per cent), and Catholic Mission’s work for Children raised over $4.4 million up 3.7 per cent.
 
Catholic Mission’s Church Appeals contributed over $3.5 million, a 10.4 per cent increase on the previous year. More than $2.6 million was received in bequests representing a 13.6 per cent increase.
 
"It is very satisfying to see how much Australian Catholics really do care about giving to their brothers and sisters in the developing world," said Martin Teulan, National Director of Catholic Mission. "By reaching our target of $14 million, we will be able to help even more people this year."
 
Catholic schoolchildren also gave a record $ 491,986 so children less fortunate than themselves can have a better chance at life through the children first! program. Overall this represents an increase of 4.2 per cent on the previous year.
 
In 2007, total gross donations in the Melbourne Archdiocese equalled $3,982,765, which was steady against the previous year, and still more than any other diocese in Australia. Donations were up by 18.1 per cent in Partnering Local Churches and Communities to reach $1,613,040.
 
For more than 185 years Catholic Mission has been working in 160 countries. An important part of its role is also to educate and engage Australians in mission and justice.