The Dynamic Church in India

During a recent visit to India, Msgr. Robert L. Stern accompanied Benedict Mar Gregorios, the Syro-Malankara Archbishop of Trivandrum, to a village for the consecration of a parish church. The archbishop and Msgr. Stern also called on a number of projects: a mangium tree nursery, a fish farm, an agricultural training center and a model farm.

At the first session of the March synod of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Ernakulam, Msgr. Stern was invited to address the synod of bishops by Antony Cardinal Padiyara, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly. Msgr. Stern explained the work of our Association and its evolving relationship with the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.

The bishops expressed their thanks for our support of the church in India.

Report from Ethiopia

While in Ethiopia in early March, Msgr. Stern met with the American ambassador, Mr. Marc Baas, with whom he discussed the work of our Association; Cardinal Paulos Tzadua, who showed a minor seminary in need of repair; and Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, who spoke about his plans for the renovation of Holy Trinity Theological College, recently returned to the church by the government.

Although one of our primary objectives is to support the work of the Eastern Catholic churches, another is to foster dialogue with the numerous Orthodox churches.

Ethiopia’s dynamic Orthodox patriarch expressed his appreciation for our Association’s concern and conveyed his gratitude for our assistance.

New IRS Requirements

Since January, the IRS requires that individual gifts of $250 or more to a charity must be documented with a written acknowledgment from the organization. Canceled checks are no longer acceptable as evidence of a charitable deduction.

Catholic Near East Welfare Association suggests that you keep our letter of acknowledgment for your tax records.

And again, thank you for your support!