Posted March 14, 2016

Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia donated $365,340 to Catholic Relief Services in 2015.

Archbishop Charles Chaput was informed of the news through a letter he received last month by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The annual collection, which again was taken up in the archdiocese in January, supports the work of CRS whose programs provide “legal support services for poor immigrants, resettlement for victims of persecution, peace and reconciliation work, and advocacy on behalf of the powerless,” according to the letter.

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CRS is the U.S. bishops’ official disaster relief and overseas development agency.

Parishes in the archdiocese have also this month taken up collections to aid the Catholic Church in Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Archbishop Chaput has also received a letter of thanks for a gift of $7,500 from the archdiocese to the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.

The organization was founded by the U.S. bishops in 1974 to support the USCCB’s pro-life work “by mobilizing the faithful to advocate for laws that protect life and liberty,” according to the letter that was sent March 1 and signed by board members Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann, St. Augustine Bishop Felipe Estevez and Green Bay Bishop David Ricken.

The donation helps to support the Human Life Action initiative, which encourages citizens to contact members of Congress on significant pro-life legislation. It also makes speakers available to dioceses to help educate parish leaders, youth groups and lay organizations advocate effectively for pro-life issues.