Eichstätt Diocese: 1.13 Million Euros Funded for Global Church Projects in 2023

Eichstätt Diocese’s Generosity: A Global Church Commitment

Oh, dear readers! Grab your rosary beads and prepare to be enlightened as we navigate through the funds splashed about like a particularly festive baptism within the Diocese of Eichstätt! Last year, they tossed a staggering 1.13 million euros into the universal church tasks pot. Yes, that’s right—more euros than my last three attempts at running a bingo night combined!

A Global Community: Prayer, Learning, and Solidarity

This hefty sum was distributed across various institutions and church-related social projects in a whopping 11 countries. We’re talking about a global village of prayer and solidarity here. It’s like they decided to make ‘Where’s Waldo?’ a real-life charity event—this time you really can find Waldo in Mukachevo or Bogota!

Making a Major Impact

Out of this enormous budget, nearly 666,378.86 euros were dedicated to the Eastern Church seminary, the Collegium Orientale. Essentially, they’re training the next generation of clergy while simultaneously achieving what every generation of parents dreams of: getting their kids out of the house for higher education.

And if you’re wondering where their generosity is heading, how about a shiny new photovoltaic system in Ukraine? Yes, while some of us struggle to install IKEA furniture, the diocese goes and funds green energy in Mukachevo. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is—or should we say, where the sun shines?

Projects in Africa and Beyond

Let’s not forget the Colombian women’s shelter that received a helping hand. Apparently, turning young mothers into empowered professionals is easier than a theology seminar’s coffee run. They funded 174,000 euros in projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Now that’s what I call spreading the wealth!

Teaching for a Sustainable Future

Gerhard Rott, the head honcho of the Universal Church Department, is vocal about their approach. “Global learning is central to education for sustainable development,” he says. With 31 educational events last year, you better believe they’re teaching more than just the Psalms—they’re handing out life skills like candy at a church fair.

When Disaster Strikes

The diocese isn’t just about the grand gestures, though. In the wake of disasters, they allocated 33,000 euros from their disaster fund for aid in Ukraine, Ghana, and Bosnia. This is the church’s version of ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’—but instead, they’re just giving away an entire orchard.

Global Peace, Justice, and Sustainability

According to Rott, their efforts go beyond just numbers. They’re “making a contribution to the global promotion of peace, justice, and sustainability.” Let’s be honest, in a world where sharing a slice of pizza can trigger a full-blown family feud, they are out there creating peace like it’s a group hug competition.

The Generosity of Believers

Donations didn’t just come from the church budget, but parishioners also opened their wallets to aid organizations. Over 704,153 euros in earmarked donations found their way to partners like Misereor and Caritas. I mean, if only people banded together that well when splitting the bill at dinner!

Conclusion: A Call to Action

So, before you click away to binge-watch more cat videos, take a moment to appreciate how a little creativity and a lot of heart can transform lives around the globe. Your next charity dinner doesn’t have to be just for *you*—why not consider giving a little back to the communal pot? As they say in Eichstätt, the cost of doing good should never break the bank!

For more detailed insight into this impressive annual report and the Eichstätt Diocese’s commitment to the global church, do visit: Eichstätt Diocese World Church Department.

Eichstätt. (pde) – In the past year, the Diocese of Eichstätt allocated a significant sum of approximately 1.13 million euros from its fiscal resources to support universal church initiatives. This robust financial commitment was directed toward a myriad of institutions and 25 diverse church and social projects spanning eleven countries worldwide. Additionally, the diocese successfully managed designated donations aimed at various other impactful projects. This dedication to charity and assistance embodies and fortifies the global “community of prayer, learning, and solidarity,” as articulated in the 2023 annual report by the World Church Department.

Almost half of the financial support derived from church taxes and donations—totaling 666,378.86 euros—benefited the Eastern Church seminary, known as the Collegium Orientale, located within the Diocese of Eichstätt. This esteemed institution houses students from various Eastern European and Asian churches, all training to become adept clergy members at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Furthermore, around 174,000 euros were earmarked for an array of grants supporting crucial projects dispersed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, particularly in the realms of education and sustainability. For instance, one notable contribution was made toward a photovoltaic system for a parish home in Mukachevo, Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Bogota, Colombia, support from Eichstätt went towards a women’s shelter that provides essential psychological assistance to young mothers while empowering them with opportunities for professional qualifications. The diocese also committed 15,000 euros to a vital project in Nairobi, Kenya, designed to enhance local food security via climate-resilient farming techniques, the establishment of model greenhouses, and comprehensive training for local workers.

With an emphasis on comprehensive educational approaches, Gerhard Rott, head of the Universal Church Department and diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, stated, “Global learning is our central approach to education for sustainable development.” Driven by this principle, the department organized 31 educational events across the diocese last year, contributing significantly to community engagement. In addition, the diocese aided young individuals volunteering through the “weltwärts” development program in Ghana and India, fostering international solidarity and understanding.

The expansion of the social and pastoral center in Bugendana, located in the Eichstätter partner diocese of Gitega, received a considerable boost with a 50,000 euro allocation from church tax funds during the reporting year. Rott elaborated, “This meant that construction of the final section, the vocational school, could begin. It should be completed by 2026.” Furthermore, the diocese allocated 33,000 euros from its disaster fund, primarily aimed at providing urgent aid in Ukraine, while also extending support to projects in Ghana and Bosnia. This disaster fund is specifically designed to assist existing project partners who find themselves in dire need following unforeseen disasters.

Rott firmly believes that “the universal church work in the diocese of Eichstätt, in cooperation with aid organizations and local partner organizations, makes a contribution to the global promotion of peace, justice and sustainability.” This commitment extends beyond merely funding diocesan projects. The faithful within the diocese generously contributed to well-recognized aid organizations, including Misereor, missio, Adveniat, Renovabis, Kindermissionswerk (Die Sternsinger), and Caritas international. Additionally, in the past year, the World Church Department successfully received and managed earmarked donations totaling 704,153 euros, of which 499,320 euros were allocated for initiatives in Burundi and 12,491 euros for the partner diocese of Poona.

The detailed annual report for 2023, along with more information regarding the Eichstätt Diocese’s commitment to the global church community, can be explored at www.bistum-eichstaett.de/weltkirche.

Annual report 2023