Diocese of Salem #1873

Salem diocese is located in Tamilnadu State, down South India. It has a population of 6113525 of which 86249 are Catholics (around 2%). Salem diocese has 94 Diocesan Priests, 54 Religious Priests, 66 Religious Brothers, and 555 Religious Sisters serving in various parishes and Institutions.

Large portions of the Salem diocese are poor and marginalized and are not in good financial standing. Hence the funds raised from the Mission Appeal will be of great help to us in carrying out several of our missionary activities. We divided the whole Catholic Population into 62 Parishes. We give them Faith formation and foster unity and oneness and a sense of belongingness. 60% of the Catholics in the Diocese of Salem are from lower caste groups, historically deprived, and economically downtrodden. In the past, they were called “untouchables.”This is our target group for Evangelization and empowerment. In order to develop them spiritually and economically, the Diocese of Salem is requesting financial help for the following projects:

• EDUCATION TO THE POOR CHILDREN: Education is a great weapon that liberates one from poverty and ignorance. We run 32 primary schools, 10 middle schools, and 4 Higher Secondary Schools (up to 12th Grade). All schools are located in the rural area. Poor children benefit from our school education including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others. Some of them study in our boarding school. We run 3 big Homes for Children hailing from below poverty line families and some of them are orphans. We provide food, lodging, and food free for them.

• SOCIO-ECONOMIC-POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL DALIT WOMEN: Our vision is to create a Just Society. Most of the women in rural areas especially those who belong to the Dalit Caste are oppressed in many factors. Hence, we organize awareness and empowerment programs, particularly for women such as: conducting self-finance job-oriented programs, providing training in the Right to Information Act to sensitize them about Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence, educating them to take appropriate action legally, and motivating them to involve in socio-political leaderships. Thus, women and girl children achieve self-reliance and grow well economically and socially.

• HOUSING PROJECT MISSION

Low Cost Housing for Sri Lanka Victims of War (Refugees) and Widows. Every year we try to build at least 25 houses in different parishes of our diocese. We spend around $4,000 for each house.

• MEDICAL MISSION

Our medical team will go to every village to conduct medical camps for the poor people. Our medical visit offers health education and wellness visits, especially to patients with leprosy, diabetes, and high blood pressure, pediatric care, and women’s preventive health education

• Home for Aged

Our diocese has two old-age homes. We take care of orphaned and aged people. We provide them with food, lodging, and medicine.

Be assured the prayers of our diocesan people and bishop for you all. God will bless you many more times. In a non-Christian country compassion and service to the poor is the way to preach Christ and share God’s love with the unfortunate.

Support the Diocese of Salem #1873

You can support the Diocese of Salem #1873 through your prayers and monetary donation by making a check payable to THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, 3424 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl., Los Angeles CA 90010, memo #1873. You may also donate online by clicking the donate button. When making an online donation, reference #1873 in the Memo box. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.