Caritas Singapore urges
donations to Church’s Covid-19 charity
 |
| Archbishop William Goh of Singapore at Mass |
Charity initiatives of all faith communities in the nation
of some 5.7 million are experiencing a drop in funding because of the Covid-19
closure.
By Robin Gomes
Caritas Singapore, the social and development arm of the
Catholic Church in the city-state, is playing a leading role in responding to
the emergency caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Social service is part of Gospel
Archbishop William Goh Seng Chye of Singapore on Sunday
called on the faithful to help the community and people in difficulty,
especially those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Despite a drop in funding,
he said, “Catholics must support" those who work "for the most
affected people, the unemployed, those suffering from depression or in
financial difficulty.”
“The social service of the Church the humanitarian work of
the Church is part and parcel of the Gospel,” said the archbishop in an appeal
on behalf of Caritas, during Mass streamed live on Sunday.
One of the consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic is
the drop in private donations and offerings, which are crucial to charities of
all faiths in the city-state, one of the most modern and developed countries in
Asia.
Fall in funding
With public Masses suspended since February 15, the Catholic
Church has seen offerings and donations drop. The Society of St Vincent de Paul
charity, which saw donations fall by 90 per cent, has launched an online
fundraiser targeting Singapore’s 400,000 Catholics.
With Covid-19 other faith communities such as Methodist and
Baptist Churches as well as Hindu and Taoist temples are also experiencing a
shortage in funds to support their charities.
Caritas that has 28 units in Singapore said they raised
US$5,000 to help especially the victims of the COVID-19’s economic fallout.
More than 2,000 families in need receive aid.
Caritas Singapore also has a wing dealing with the
archdiocese’s overseas humanitarian aid called “Caritas Humanitarian Aid &
Relief Initiatives, Singapore”, or CHARIS.
Appeal for generosity
According to Archbishop Goh, fundraising and charitable work
are essential "to provide food and medicine to those suffering from this
pandemic.” Hence, “Those who can, should help people in difficulty.”
He urged those who “have some extra money to be generous and
visit the Archdiocese's website to make a donation, each according to their
possibilities.”
Whatever be the donation, the archbishop urged, "give
with a happy heart, a joyful heart" because "God loves a cheerful
giver."
Singapore eases shutdown
Barbers and hairdressers, food manufacturers and outlets as
well as laundry shops were among selected businesses that were allowed to
reopen on Tuesday with strict health measures after five weeks of
shutdown.
Starting on May 19, Singapore will also allow small groups
of students to return to schools, prioritising parts of graduating classes
taking national exams this year.
The city state’s near-total lockdown will run until June 1,
after which there will be a gradual lifting of social distancing measures,
authorities said.
Singapore has recorded 24,671 infections, the highest in
Asia after China, India and Pakistan. But it has a low fatality rate of 21
deaths. About 90% of the cases are linked to foreign workers' dorms, which have
all remained locked down as testing continues.
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