U.S. Bishops bring aid to Africa

(Aug.27,2009): The United States Bishops' Conference is sending a delegation to Africa to express solidarity with the Church there, and to bring aid offered by Catholics nationwide.
A press release from the conference announced that Bishop John Ricard of Florida, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, Utah, began their visit three-day visit to Zimbabwe on Wed. On Friday, they will go to South Africa, where they will be joined by the former archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and will remain until Sep. 6.
The prelates plan to visit Church officials and projects aided by the conference's Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.
The trip organizer, Patrick Markey said the Church in Africa is not only growing rapidly but is also rich in vocations. The African fund collected from all the US dioceses, aids with education, lay ministry training, and continuing formation of priests and religious.
All three prelates are involved with Catholic Relief Services. They intend to observe the humanitarian work of this organization in Africa, in particular the effort to fight HIV/AIDS.