ANNUAL MEETING OF POPULORUM PROGRESSIO FOUNDATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 27, 2005 (VIS) - The administrative council of the "Populorum Progressio" Foundation held its annual meeting in Lima, Peru, from July 19 to 22. The foundation was established by John Paul II to promote integral development among the poor, indigenous, mixed race and Afro-American rural communities of Latin America and the Caribbean.

  Since its creation in 1992 the foundation, which is part of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," has financed more than 2,000 projects for a total value of almost 20 million dollars, giving concrete form to "the Church's gesture of loving solidarity towards the most abandoned and needy - such as the poor, indigenous, mixed race and Afro-American rural communities - as the fruit of love and charity."

  This year approval has been given to 212 projects aimed at the integral development of these peoples, with particular reference to the following areas: 36.29% for production, be it farming, small businesses, or community stores; 23.55% for communal infrastructure projects such as potable water, fencing, latrines and community halls; 18.15% for buildings such as schools, houses and health centers; 16.60% for education: training, communications, donations and publications; 5.49% for health-oriented projects, including donations and training."

  The countries involved include Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, as well as Argentina, Chile and the entire Caribbean area.

  Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, a Cor Unum official who participated in the Lima meeting recalls that the criterion of Populorum Progressio is "the ecclesial nature of its projects."

  "The Church," said Msgr. Tejado, "cannot be reduced to becoming a humanitarian aid organization; rather her mission embraces individuals in all their facets, both material and spiritual. Hence, the projects that are presented to the foundation have to include this component of Christian charity: the announcement that in Jesus Christ man has access to a Father full of love for the poor. This testimony is carried forwards by providing aid in the Holy Father's name and by including all achievements within the framework of the local Church."
CON-CU/POPULORUM PROGRESSIO/TEJADO                VIS 20050727 (340)