Eucharistic Congress Boosts a Project for the Poor

Named After Mexico’s 1st Cardinal

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GUADALAJARA, Mexico, OCT. 17, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Officials at the International Eucharistic Congress are planning to leave a legacy of the meeting: social work to help the poor.

The Cardinal José Garibi Rivera Foundation, named after Mexico’s first cardinal (1889-1972), is designed to help the poorest by funding projects of integral and human development, the promoters said Friday.

Prior to the congress, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez of Guadalajara explained in an article to his faithful that the foundation already “lends its support in the line of human promotion, assisting with small but sufficient amounts, self-management projects that help the individuals or families benefited to emerge from their abject poverty and make progress through their own efforts.”

The remaining funds of “the donations received for the Eucharistic Congress” will be managed and allocated to the foundation, to comply in the best way possible with the “obligation to help needy brothers,” the cardinal explained.

The foundation was established formally on March 19, 2003, as an “institution of private assistance” and has been declared by Cardinal Sandoval as a social work of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress.

Cardinal Garibi Rivera, an archbishop of Guadalajara, promoted hospitals and works of social assistance. He had a leading role in fostering social stability in Mexico in the aftermath of the religious conflict of 1926-1929.

He constantly held meetings and discussions with political leaders and businessmen. And he supported universities and one of Mexico’s seminaries with the most vocations. He was committed to the formation of the clergy and the establishment of lay organizations.

The foundation will focus on production, small businesses, and the organization of agriculture and the crafts industry. Attention will also be given to health, nutrition, cooperatives, education and community development.

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