Weekly fasting day suggested

Press, 24 July 1984, Page 13

Weekly fasting day suggested

PA Auckland A weekly day of fasting for the Africa drought appeal has been suggested by the Catholic Bishop of Auckland, the Most Rev. Denis Browne. An international appeal was launched in June to raise $lOO million. The New Zealand target is $250,000, to be reached in three months. It is a joint appeal between the Christian World Service of the National Council of Churches and the National Commission for Evangelisation, Justice, and Development of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of New Zealand. One in three Africans is facing death by starvation. The World Health Organ's isation has estimated that 12 million children born in

Africa this year will not survive their first year, almost half dying of starvation. The executive officer of the Commission for Evangelisation, Justice, and Development in Wellington, Mr Manuka Henare, said that more than $BO,OOO had been given so far and $25,000 had already been sent to some of the drought-stricken areas. Bishop Browne has urged an all-out effort during August. “There are five Fridays, and I suggest that these be days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving,” he said. “This means a simplified meal or meals or the giving up of some luxury. The amount saved from .this act of self-denial could-’then be sent to the appeal.” i