December 26: The missionary caroling of children for their peers in Rwanda and Burundi begins
The missionary caroling is a proposal of the Pontifical Missionary Works for families, parish communities and schools for the Christmas time. The main protagonists of this initiative are children who in this way share the joy of faith and help their peers in missionary countries. This year, the Pontifical Missionary Work of Children collects funds to help peers in Rwanda and Burundi. In these countries, it is urgently needed to take care of orphaned children who have lost their loved ones due to war and illness, including AIDS. A common and severe problem is also the social rejection of disabled children. They live on the streets, becoming victims of trafficking, slavery or other types of crime.
“I thank all those who in their dioceses help children to live this time evangelizing. I wish that all those who will host the missionary carollers open their hearts to spiritual and material help for children in Rwanda and Burundi” - said Bishop Artur G. Mizinski, Secretary General of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, during a press conference before the missionary caroling, which begins today.
Fr. Tomasz Atlas, national director of the Pontifical Missionary Works in Poland, reminded that caroling takes place for the 26th time. “Through this year’s initiative of missionary carolers, we want to provide a safe future to children from Rwanda and Burundi. A future that will be marked by goodness and closeness of Jesus, who came to every human being without exception” - said Fr. Atlas. He also added that the current apostolic nuncio in Poland, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, supports very much the initiative of the missionary caroling and is very interested in the fate of children in these countries.
In 2017, a record amount of 2 657 769 PLN (621 000 Euro) was collected for the implementation of 101 projects for children in 9 countries around the world. Last year, the collection was carried out for children in Syria and Lebanon.
Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
