Fast for Colombia

As Lent starts today, aid agency CAFOD has announced that their Fast Day this year on February 22, will focus on Colombia. The country torn apart by civil war for over thirty years. Its people suffer from poverty, corruption, and intimidation and more than two million Colombians have been driven from their homes. The Catholic Church is helping them to find a peaceful solution and CAFOD is fully behind it in its fight for peace and justice for the poor. Latin America Programme Officer, Francis McDonagh said: "Our work in Colombia is based on a partnership going back 30 years. We are not there because it is fashionable or easy, but out of a commitment to partners who risk their lives for ideals we share. We are there for the long haul". CAFOD has partners in some of the most dangerous areas of Colombia, but despite the uncertainties they support communities working together to build a better future for themselves and their families. Marguerite Harrington, Community Fundraising Co-ordinator, said: "Colombia is one of the many countries that need our help desperately and we are confident that parishioners will respond. We are always overwhelmed by their generosity they obviously see the need and want to help." The Lent Appeal envelopes will include Gift Aid forms that were used by CAFOD for the first time last year. The Gift Aid scheme enables charities to claim back 28p in tax for every pound donated by a taxpayer. For more information visit: CAFOD - Catholic Agency for Overseas Development