|
September 14, 2001 Catholic Charitable Assistance Taking Many Forms During National Crisis Washington, D.C. ----- The Catholic foundation community is responding to a variety of emergency needs brought on by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. According to FADICA’s president, Francis J. Butler, a survey of the organization’s membership has found that FADICA foundations have been helping a variety of church related charitable institutions including St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York, which is providing emergency care to the victims of the World Trade Center attack. Other member foundations have been assisting local Catholic Charities agencies in New York and Arlington VA, the scene of the Pentagon attack. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has also been encouraging interested donors to contact Catholic Charities, USA, the national association of diocesan Catholic charities agencies, which traditionally coordinates Catholic assistance during national disasters. Special diocesan appeals to aid the victims and their families will also be undertaken. According to Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New York, funds are needed for emergency relief for widows and orphans to help them with the immediate need of funeral expenses, rent, and mortgage payments. Catholic charity workers will be providing grief and traumatic loss counseling in the months ahead. The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization established a one million dollar "Heroes Fund" for families of all full time professional law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who have lost their lives in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. For further information please contact: FADICA Catholic Charities, USA Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New York Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington, VA Knights of Columbus U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops St. Vincent’s Hospital |