Episcopal Press and News
Allin Calls for Central America Aid, Hunger Day
Episcopal News Service. August 9, 1984 [84160]
NEW YORK (DPS, Aug. 9) -- In separate letters, Presiding Bishop John M. Allin has confirmed his support for World Food Day and called special attention to the needs of Central America.
As in previous years, Allin has commended to Episcopalians the observance of Oct. 16 as World Food Day, a celebration sponsored, since 1981, by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. In addition, the Presiding Bishop wrote: "I call upon the members of the Episcopal Church to join me in preparing themselves for this event through prayer, worship and study and reflection on the preceding Sunday, Oct. 14." Areas in the world which he mentioned as being of particular concern this year are Africa, the Middle East, and Central America.
In connection with World Food Day, a packet of relevant materials has been assembled by the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and National Hunger Offices. This has been sent to the leadership networks of both with a joint cover letter from Dr. David Crean, staff officer for hunger, and the Rev. Canon Samir J. Habiby, executive director of the Fund. Additional copies are available from either office at the Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
An open letter addressed to "The People of the Episcopal Church", announces Allin's Summer Appeal and calls upon them "to assist Central American churches to provide human and material resources in response to crises in their area, through the Central America Special Appeal of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief."
Roots of the appeal lie in Allin's trip to Central America earlier this year, where he was able to observe firsthand the needs of the area. This was reinforced by the recent report of the church's Central America Task Force, which had been appointed to visit Episcopal and Anglican churches and leaders there. Among the task force recommendations presented to Executive Council in June was one to "Designate special funds, through the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief... for the relief, rehabilitation, development and refugee/migration needs of the Central American and contiguous dioceses in order to support local outreach programs."
Allin ended his letter for the Summer Appeal with: "Let us pray for the steadfast faith of the bishops, clergy, and laity of our Central American churches in courageously addressing the needs of their people. Let their perseverance be our call to action. Let us enable our mission and their ministry to grow stronger through gifts to the Fund's Central America Appeal."