HONG KONG (SE): The Diocesan Fund-raising Commission for Church Building and Development launched a website on August 16 to introduce its projects and invite donation after its major fund-raising activities were interrupted by the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in the first half of the year.
The website, http://donate.catholic.org.hk lists the main projects being undertaken by the diocese, including the extension of St. Joseph’s Church in Fanling, the construction of a new church in Tung Chung and the development of Catholic cemetery facilities.
Online donations can be made through the website. The commission issue regular will reports to the public on the amount collected and allocated.
Reflections by clergy as well as lay people on what the donations mean are also posted there.
John Cardinal Tong Hon, the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Hong Kong, invited people to support the commission’s projects. In a video message posted on the website, he said that people’s daily lives nearly came to a standstill as the city battled against the Covid-19 pandemic and that the economy is experiencing a downturn.
However, he said the diocese was still glad to carry out its mission so that the Church can be a visible sign of God’s presence in our community and instill the power of love into a spiritually weary society.
Father Benedict Lam Cho-ming, chairperson of the commission, said the fund-raising walkathon in January as well as promotion campaigns in parishes were all postponed due to the pandemic.
He called on people to consider making monthly donations so as to assure a steady source of funds. He added that the commission is also seeking volunteers to support its projects.
The Diocesan Fund-raising Commission for Church Building and Development was set up in March 2019. Members include representatives from the laity, professionals and dignitaries from various sectors. The commission is responsible for establishing fund-raising objectives and strategies to meet the future developmental needs of the diocese.
