CCODP raises $19.7M for tsunami relief

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Cornwall, Ont.

While fundraising for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has remained flat in recent years, the organization has raised an astonishing $19.7 million for tsunami relief in 2005.

"Canadian Catholics have never raised such a large amount of money in such a short period of time," Valleyfield, Que., Bishop Luc Cyr said. CCODP raised about 10 per cent of the total funds raised in Canada for tsunami relief.

Those funds are eligible for another $11.7 million in matching grants from the Canadian government, Cyr told the annual meeting of the Canadian bishops.

Cyr, who with Grand Falls, Nfld., Bishop Martin Currie represents the bishops on the CCODP national council, attributed the tsunami response to the bishops call for a special collection on Sunday, Jan. 9.

But the Quebec bishop said CCODP needs to review its outreach and fundraising strategy. Share Lent, which raises about 40 per cent of the organization's annual budget, has remained flat.

Cyr noted this year's Share Lent collection of $9.464 million was "moderately reduced" five per cent from previous years. That reduction was anticipated and could be attributed to the "tsunami effect."

"The support of our bishops is critical for the success of this annual collection," Cyr said, noting the positive impact of pastoral letters and promotion on fundraising campaigns.

In 2004-05, aside from the tsunami collection, CCODP committed $18.5 million to ongoing projects around the world.

Cyr praised the "wonderful work" of Development and Peace staff, and its new executive director Michael Casey, in its aid to the poorest of the poor in the Global South, and its work in developing North-South linkages to further justice, peace and social development in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Plans are underway to celebrate CCODP's 40th anniversary with a special celebratory Mass conducted by Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte at St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal in June 2007.

The anniversary coincides with the 40th anniversary of the papal encyclical Populorum Progressio, which inspired the founding of Development and Peace and other similar charities around the world.

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