More than 2000 Catholic Bibles are being given away to people in need throughout New Zealand and the number is expected to grow.
Catholic churches around the nation have supported the Bible Society’s Poverty and Justice Buy One / Gift One campaign.
In many cases parishes have been working with organisations such as Apostleship of the Sea, St Vincent De Paul and Mary Potter Hospice to distribute the complimentary Bibles.
And as more and more churches agree to run a Poverty and Justice campaign throughout 2016 it is expected more Bibles will be given away to families who cannot afford to purchase one.
“Churches are welcoming this campaign,” said Neels Janse van Rensburg, the Bible Society Relationships Director who is responsible to overseeing this campaign.
“The parish priests in particular are excited about the special New Zealand edition of the Poverty and Justice Bible.
They are very aware of the impact this Bible has, it is like a silent witness programme. People can become missionaries by just supporting the campaign and gifting a Bible.
In this way they’re enabling the parish to be missional,” he continued.
Msgr Bernard Kiely, St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland said, “For us priests and pastors the idea of gifting a Bible to a needy parishioner or a person of another faith or a non-believer enables us not only to share our faith but to honour and acknowledge others with such a special gift.
“The Poverty and Justice Bible enables us to be in union with Pope Francis who urges the world to care for the poor in this Jubilee Year of Mercy,” he said.
Another campaign highlight is the offer of prayer from Cardinal John Dew, President of Bible Society New Zealand.
He is again praying for campaign participants at his Rome church, Sant’Ippolito later in the year.
Poverty and Justice supporters can submit their names and prayer requests on the website for inclusion in the special prayer book Bible Society will prepare.
For further details about Bible Society’s Poverty and Justice campaign visit http://www.povertyandjustice.nz/
Source
- Supplied
- Image: povertyandjustice.nz
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