Half a century of Project Compassion

ARCHBISHOP Christopher Prowse enjoyed some freshly made pancakes while launching Project Compassion at the Secretariat of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) on February 9.

The Archbishop was joined in the ACBC garden by students and staff from across the Archdiocese who will participate in Project Compassion, one of Australia’s largest humanitarian fundraising raising campaigns during the six weeks of Lent. This year marks 50 years of Project Compassion and the theme is ‘Learning more, creating change’.

“For us Catholics, creating change beings in the heart, it’s not exterior,” the Archbishop told those present.

Archbishop Christopher Prowse with Caritas engagement coordinator Lulu Mitshabu
during the launch of Project Compassion on February 9. PHOTO: ACBC

“If you start on the outside and forget about the inside, you’re a philanthropist. If you pray for those who need a bit of help around the world and leave it at that, you’re pietistic. So Catholics are neither pietistic nor are they philanthropists. We go outside through the heart.

“The heart is very linked with the Year of Mercy. The Latin word for mercy is misericordia, which means allowing the miseries of another person to come into your heart. That’s why we always have the cross because it takes on the miseries and struggles of our world. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy, so in giving we receive so much in our hearts. In giving, we are doing the work of the Lord. Project Compassion is a very practical way of giving.”

Caritas Australia raised a record-breaking $11.57 million last year, of which more than $345,000 was raised by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

During Lent, Australians are invited to support Project Compassion by donating, holding fundraising events or sharing the campaign resources.

To donate to Project Compassion, or for fundraising ideas, please visit: www. caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or call 1800 024 413.