As Pope Benedict XVI Begins Journey to Mexico, U.S. Bishops Announce Grants to Latin America; Over $2 Million Awarded

WASHINGTON(March 23, 2012) —The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Subcommitteeon the Church in Latin America announced today the approval of nearly $2.3million in grant funding for 139 projects, to aid the pastoral work of theChurch in 16 countries throughout the Latin American region and especially inMexico. The project proposals were approved during the subcommittee's meeting onMarch 21.

"These grants come just ahead of the HolyFather's visit and represent the concrete sign of solidarity of the Church inthe United States with the Church in Latin America," said Archbishop José H.Gomez of Los Angeles, chair of the subcommittee. "We approved several grants inMexico to support the Church there as it forms leaders that respond to thespiritual and human needs of the Mexican people. We also pray that the pope'svisit helps to nourish their faith and strengthen their efforts forpeacebuilding."

For the rest of the region, a significantgrant was approved to continue helping with earthquake reconstruction in Chileas the subcommittee approved over $150,000 to help rebuild five churches there."We can see that the grants are an important part of our relationship andfraternity with the Church in the region," said Bishop John Manz, auxiliary bishopof Chicago and a member of the subcommittee. "After a recent visit toNicaragua, we received many grant requests and approved an increased number of thoserequests to help the Church in that country as they continue to give witness ofpeace and reconciliation in that society," continued the bishop who traveled toNicaragua in January of this year. Approved projects in Nicaragua ranged fromformation of seminarians to support for Youth Ministry to formation of laypastoral agents.

Funding to assist the formation ofreligious, seminarians and clergy totaled almost a half million dollars, orjust over 27 percent of funds awarded. These grants will assist in theeducation of more than 1,000 women and men as they prepare for lives of servicein the Church.

The Subcommittee on the Church in LatinAmerica oversees the Collection for Latin America as part of the USCCBCommittee on National Collections. It provides support for the USCCB grant-makingprogramas well as the Conference's international policy work. Additionalrounds of grant applications will be considered in June and November of thisyear. The Subcommittee gives an average of $6.5 million each year to pastoralprograms in Latin America and the Caribbean.

More information on the Collection for theChurch in Latin America and the projects it funds can be found at https://www.usccb.orgsearch for "Church Latin America." The subcommittee has delegated severalbishops to attend the Holy Father's visit to Mexico and Cuba. For informationon the papal visit, please search for "Mexico" or "Cuba" in the above-mentionedsite.
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Keywords:Latin America, evangelization, clergy, lay formation, Collection for the Churchin Latin America, Archbishop José Gomez, Bishop John Manz, U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops

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