Gatineau, February 1, 2008
To all parishes of the Archdiocese of Gatineau,
This year, Development and Peace’s Share-Lent campaign has as its theme “I believe – I give”. In summary, the Catholic Church’s international solidarity organization invites us to support it because we “believe”. But what is it, exactly, that we believe, that makes this campaign relevant? To this question, I will offer a response… or rather three. Because my personal decision to support Development and Peace stems from three “I believe”.
My first « I believe » is simply my faith in God « creator of heaven and earth », as recited in the Church’s creed. But this God in whom I believe has not only done great things in the past. God is continually present, attentive to the littlest ones, and reminding us to act in their favour:
“Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (…) Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 34-35.40).
My second « I believe » logically derives from the first : I believe in the cause pursued by Development and Peace, that of a world which is more just, more humane, that is, more adjusted to God’s intention. Because Development and Peace is not satisfied in giving food to the hungry, but rather it devotes the better part of its resources to combat poverty and injustice which results in millions of people here and elsewhere going without enough food to satisfy their hunger.
Finally, my third “I believe” is an act of trust: I know that the funds collected by Development and Peace reach their intended destination and, better still, are spent efficiently. Development and Peace supports mainly projects of community development, social justice and popular education in many countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. In countries reeling from conflicts or natural disasters, Development and Peace supports reconciliation and reconstruction. This solidarity organization always acts in partnership with local organizations well aware of the needs of their own countrymen.
In summary, I believe in God who asks me to give food to the hungry; I believe in the cause pursued by Development and Peace; and I believe that this organization – our organization – is an efficient one. This is why I give to Development and Peace, and why I invite my fellow citizens to do likewise.
† Roger Ébacher
Archbishop of Gatineau
