Grants Made by Presiding Bishop's Fund Board
Diocesan Press Service. December 21, 1973 [73283]
NEW YORK, N. Y. -- At a recent meeting of the Board for the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief (PBF) of the Episcopal Church, grants totaling $29,000 were made for relief and development work.
The grants were made for:
* Sahel (Sub-Sahara West Africa), $5,000. This area, comprising the six countries of former French West Africa (Chad, Mauritania, Upper Volta, Senegal, Mall and Niger), Ethiopia and Botswana, has suffered severe drought for six years, leaving a famine and a threat of starvation and health deterioration for millions of people, mostly of nomadic tribes. In spite of responses from world governments and relief agencies, the need continues to be great. The PBF sent $5,000 for relief in August.
* Chilean Refugees, $1,000. Following the military coup in September, there has been a need for asylum for thousands of refugees, not only leftist Chileans, but many Latin Americans from South and Central American countries who had sought refuge in Chile. Bishop J. Antonio Ramos of Costa Rica is trying to re-settle 200 refugees in his area, and the U. S. State Department has been asked by an agency of Church World Service to allow the 80 - 120 refugees who have stated U.S. preference for relocation to be admitted. The U.S. government has taken no action thus far. This grant is in addition to $1,000 previously sent.
* Anglican High School (for girls), Granada, British West Indies, $1,000. The only non-Roman Catholic secondary school for girls in St. George's, the school was completely destroyed by fire in October, 1972. The Diocese of Chicago, companion diocese to Windward Islands, has contributed $5, 000 toward the $100,000 building fund.
* Southern Brazil - Instituto de Menores, Canagacu, R.S., $2,000. This farm school for boys is jointly supported by the Brazilian Episcopal Church (Igreja Episcopal do Brasil) and the Brazilian government, though additional assistance for food and clothing is needed.
* Diocese of Northern Philippines - Revolving Fund for Rural Cooperatives, $20,000. As a first venture in the development field, in line with the new guidelines set for the PBF, a revolving fund in the amount of $20,000 was authorized for rural cooperatives. This project, launched in 1970, received a grant of $9,750 in 1972 from the General Convention Special Program of the Episcopal Church.
Millions of Protestant and Orthodox church-goers in the United States each year select the fourth Sunday in Lent (March 24, 1974) to contribute to the now familiar "One Great Hour of Sharing " appeal to help their brothers and sisters here and overseas. Episcopalians contribute through the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief (815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017).
Presentation material for the Presiding Bishop's Fund and for the Good Friday Offering will be available in early 1974.
(NOTE: A glossy print of the 1974 poster for the PBF was sent to the diocesan press on November 15.)