Annual Trócaire box collection postoned

People are being asked to hold onto their Trócaire boxes until further notice and to donate online instead,if possible, as part of the annual appeal by the Diocese of Ferns.

‘ This time of year, we would usually get back Trócaire boxes here in the Diocese but that will not be possible this year, at a time when the developing world needs our help the most,’ said Fr. John Carroll, Diocesan Representative to Trócaire, the development wing of the Irish Catholic Church.

‘Please do hold onto your boxes until further notice and we will be in contact about how to return them when it will be safe for you to do so’, he said, making an appeal for people to donate online or over the phone on LoCall 1850 408408 or https://www.trocaire.org/ donate/make-a-donation.

Fr Carroll asked the the people of the Diocese to remember the plight of those in the developing world. ‘We cannot lose sight of our brothers and sisters overseas who are often living in overcrowded conditions, without consistent access to clean water and soap for hand washing and in countries with extremely weak health systems.

‘ There are currently Coronavirus cases in 15 of the countries where Trócaire supports people. Trying to contain the spread of the virus in these countries is going to be a mammoth task for country teams in the weeks and months ahead. As in Ireland, the number of cases and affected countries is certain to increase on a daily basis.’