In accordance with the public health restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID19, members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered for their Summer 2020 General Meeting by way of video call instead of the usual location of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. This was the first plenary meeting of bishops hosted using this medium.
One of the topics of discussion was this year’s Trócaire Lenten Campaign in light of COVID19. Bishops thanked parishioners who returned Trócaire boxes or supported the charity’s work by donating online or over the phone. The COVID19 pandemic, with the consequential lockdown of social activity, has severely restricted Trócaire’s ability to collect this year’s Lenten boxes. Notwithstanding the restrictions owing to the pandemic, bishops have been heartened by the enthusiastic response of parishes to return boxes to Trócaire. The return of these donations is vital for Trócaire’s ability to fulfil the Church’s mission of bringing support to those in great need overseas. This is particularly important as Trócaire contributes to the effort to stop the spread of COVID19 in the world’s poorest countries.
Bishops expressed their gratitude to parishes for their generosity which has allowed Trócaire to deliver life-saving and life-changing support to almost three million people around the world. Bishops paid particular tribute to clergy, staff, volunteers and parishioners for their commitment to seeing this vital work continue under very difficult domestic circumstances.
Ends
