Universal Solidarity Fund

THE CHARITY OF THE BAPTIZED ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

The Universal Solidarity Fund has its roots in the behavior of the first Christian community mentioned in the book of the Acts of the Apostles: "The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. In fact there was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need" (Acts 4: 32.34-35).

The first Christians had given birth to specific forms of commitment both for the poor and for the mission; the community in Jerusalem had endowed itself with both a charitable structure, which hinged first on the twelve apostles and later on the deacons, and a solidarity fund, the result of free offers and free contributions from the sale of property.

These collections, initiated by St. Paul and carried out with a charitable purpose, had at the same time a pastoral objective: the unity of faith and love among Christians.

It is the same concern that drives Pauline Jaricot to bring her friends together to devote themselves to prayer and fundraising for the missions.

Pontifical Missionary Cooperation and Inter-Ecclesial solidarity

SUBSIDIES ARRIVE WHERE NEEDED

The Pontifical Societies for the Propagation of the Faith, Holy Childhood, St. Peter the Apostle set up a solidarity fund, capable of supporting universal assistance programs. The Universal Solidarity Fund is «a sign of the unity of faith, love and justice that unites all the faithful and all the particular Churches in the world in communion of the universal Church» (cf. PMS Statute, Art. 67).

Every baptized person carries within himself the responsibility of the catholicity of the Church and therefore of collaboration in universal evangelization.

The PMS ensure a fair and responsible distribution of the offerings donated each year by the People of God throughout the world to the Pope's Universal Solidarity Fund.

Through the distribution of subsidies, the PMS are attentive to the situations of each particular church and show that they have their needs at heart.

In this way the PMS are able to support an annual aid program in favor of all the mission Churches, in view of their progressive autonomy and to enable them to respond, in turn, to the needs of the sister Churches most in need.

"... The Church continues to advance thanks to the widow’s mite and the contributions of innumerable people healed and consoled by Jesus, who for this reason, overflowing with gratitude, donate whatever they have". (Pope Francis, in the Message to the PMS, May 21, 2020).

ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY SUBSIDIES DISTRIBUTED BY CONTINENT IN 2023