Parishioners plan to share donations with Third World

CHURCHGOERS in Wicklow are planning to give half of their annual donations to Third World countries.

The parish of Greystones will become the first Justice Parish in Europe if the scheme is a success.

Parish priest Father David Halpin said that, if parishioners doubled their envelope and standing order collections, it would free up funds which would then be distributed to projects throughout the world.

“As a parish, we currently spend all the money that comes into the parish on the parish itself. The goal is to see us as one parish in a worldwide family of parishes, giving income to parishes and projects throughout the world that are in great need,” he said.

The ‘Two Coats’ initiative is inspired by the Gospel of St. Luke, which says: “Anyone with two coats must share with their brother and sister who has none.” It was launched yesterday by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin.

The organisers hope that they will be able to give half of the parish’s income to third world projects within three years if parish donations double. President Mary McAleese is also supporting the project. In a letter to the organisers, she said she welcomed the international solidarity being displayed by the parish and added that she was confident that their efforts make a genuine contribution to the parishes abroad.