Holy See Supports UNRWA
The Holy See has reaffirmed its financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), describing the agency as an “essential lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees” and urging the international community to ensure its work can continue unhindered.
A report in Vatican News said the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations addressed the U.N. General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA on 30 June and said that “for over seven decades, UNRWA has provided education, health care, food assistance and social services.” The Permanent Mission stressed that UNRWA offers not only tangible help, but “the opportunity to live with dignity.”
For decades, Israel has questioned the neutrality and objectivity of the largest U.N. humanitarian aid organization in Gaza and the West Bank, alleging Hamas members have infiltrated UNRWA and assisted in the planning of the 7 October 2023, attacks in Israel.
Lebanon Crisis Continues
Lebanon’s churches continue to play key roles in helping the more than 430,000 people who remain displaced by the ongoing fighting between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces. More than 730,000 people have returned to their homes, but many homes have been damaged or destroyed. ReliefWeb reported in mid-July that in the 23 days after the ceasefire announcement on 20 June, more than 340 people had been killed and 220 injured.
After the United States and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, the militant group Hezbollah fired rockets from their centers in Lebanon into Israel, which responded with airstrikes 2 March. Church groups immediately prepped to help the displaced and injured; some had stockpiled supplies after the 66-day war in Lebanon in 2024.
CNEWA-Pontifical Mission has supported these initiatives, initially rushing $100,000 in emergency funds for distribution of food parcels across southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa Valley. It helped subsidize heating fuel expenses for numerous families and distributed food parcels to families sheltering at the refugee camp in Dbayeh through its local partner, the Joint Christian Committee. In the area around Beirut, CNEWA-Pontifical Mission distributed $50 in food coupons during four months for 500 families of all faiths.
Save the Dates!
Two hallmark events will mark CNEWA’s centennial with galas scheduled on Friday, 6 November, at St. Elias Centre in Ottawa, and Tuesday, 15 December, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
In Ottawa, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will receive CNEWA’s Faith & Culture Award for his leadership, unwavering witness to the Christian faith, and steadfast commitment to preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people.
At its annual Healing & Hope Gala in New York, CNEWA’s guest of honor and recipient of the Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan International Leadership Award will be Frá John T. Dunlap, prince and 81st grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, whose work on a global scale has touched countless lives of the marginalized and vulnerable. CNEWA’s Faith & Culture Award will be conferred to Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., president of both the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Governorate of Vatican City State. A noted academic and administrator, Sister Raffaella oversees the operations of Vatican City State, making her the highest-ranking woman in the Vatican.
CNEWA, ONE Honored
In June, the Catholic Media Association (C.M.A.) named ONE magazine Mission Magazine of the Year, honoring staff and contributors for vivid, detailed reporting, compelling photographs and design, and effective messaging.
CNEWA broke its own record in garnering 62 awards overall for its communications, marketing and media efforts. Elizabeth Belsky, CNEWA’s marketing manager, was named Advertising Business/Marketing Professional of the Year. Among its 17 first-place awards, CNEWA earned best press release, best blog on social justice issues and on topical news.
The awards were conferred in June at the C.M.A.’s annual conference in Atlantic City, where members of CNEWA’s communications and marketing team offered a workshop, “How to Adapt News Stories to Create Social Media Content That Pops.” To highlight its centennial, CNEWA also sponsored a breakfast for Catholic media professionals on 19 June.
This year, Michael J. La Civita, CNEWA’s director of communications and marketing, completed his third term as a member of the C.M.A. board of directors, which included time as vice president. Laura Ieraci, ONE editor and senior communications officer, was elected to the board and began her term in June. For the past three years, she has served on the C.M.A.’s conference planning committee and recently on the ethics committee.
The C.M.A. includes more than 365 organizations as members and more than 900 individual media and marketing professionals.
New Legacy Society Website
CNEWA has launched a new estate planning website. Named in honor of Pope Paul VI, whose pontificate made an indelible mark on the life of this agency of the Holy See, the St. Pope Paul VI Legacy Society website, cnewa.mylegacygift.org, is newly redesigned and offers helpful information and resources to make the planning process simple and meaningful.
For more information, sample bequest language or to discuss how one’s legacy can reflect one’s faith and philanthropic priorities, please contact Brian McGinley, director of development, at 1-646-791-0291 or bmcginley@cnewa.org.