The Collection for the Episcopal Conference takes place next weekend the 18th/19th May. Donations to that collection go to fund the work that is done by the different groups that have been established by the Conference. They come under five basic headings:
- Catholic Education and Formation: Catechetics, Doctrine, Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue, Education
- Pastoral Care: Accord, Bioethics, Emigrants, Family and Marriage, Healthcare, IBDI – Drugs Initiative, Immigrants, Prisoners Overseas
- Planning, Communications and Resources: Communications, Finance, Intercom Magazine, Research and Development, Veritas
- Social Issues and International Affairs and International Affairs: Europe, Justice and Peace, Missions, Trocaire
- Worship, Pastoral renewal and Faith Development: Clergy, Permanent Diaconate, Liturgy, Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Development, Religious and Vocations
These Commissions and Agencies make a very important and often unseen contribution to helping the Church meet the challenges of our time. Their only source of finance is contributions from individual dioceses. The contribution is population based and so is a major draw on Diocesan resources. Therefore, the Episcopal Conference Collection is aimed at helping to defray at least some of the costs involved.