French priests to donate month’s salary to needy

(November 6, 2009) Priests of a French diocese are donating a month’s salary to aid the poor, joining in an initiative of their brothers in Spain. The priests’ council of Lyon Diocese invited all the priests to donate one month's salary, amounting to $1,340, to a charitable organization that supports victims of the economic crisis. A statement on the diocesan website explained that even though "individually and discreetly, numerous priests contribute to the financing of charitable organizations, they wish to express their closeness through a particular financial commitment. The priests hope that the initiative will be seen "not only as true pastoral concern for the most destitute," but also as their will to donate a part of their “goods to those who do not have what is necessary to live.” The priests of Lyon "who wish to and can" are therefore invited to make this donation, the Web site stated. Lyon Diocese followed the example of several Spanish dioceses who during the Holy Week, urged their priests to give 10% of their salaries to help the needy. This gesture become particularly significant in the current Year of Priests.