CARDINAL ASKS SUPPORT FOR OXFAM'S WORK

Catholic Herald Reporter CARDINAL HEENAN of Westminster this week expressed the hope that Catholic contributions to OXFAM will grow. His message was published in a fourpage review called World Without which describes OXFAM's aid to Catholic projects round the world.
The Cardinal said that Oxfam had provided one of the most useful outlets for public spirited Catholics. "Overburdened as we are by the growing costs of providing schools and colleges. we have tended to allow the education of Catholic children almost to monopolise the proceeds of Catholic charity."
He added: "What was left over was needed for the provision of churches for the growing Catholic congregations. It was, therefore. possible for genuinely charitable Catholics to make almost no contribution to any charitable fund unconnected with the Church".
However, he said. OXFAM "has the support of thousands of our priests and people".
NO FAVOURITES
While some charitable organisations were accused of spending large amounts on their own expenses, he said, "OXFAM cannot fairly be accused of any such bureaucracy".
Nor did it play favourites when distributing its funds: "Most help is given where help is most needed".
He concluded: "Whether or not the plan of expenditure would always earn the approval of a Catholic conscience is not a question we need answer. OXFAM is always ready to direct a donation to whichever of its works makes most appeal".
The review, full of reports and pictures of missionaries, refugees and homeless, hungry people, includes a statement by Bishop Swanstrom, auxiliary of New York and director of Catholic Relief Services.
'CHALLENGE TO ALL' Over the past four years, he said, OXFAM sent C.R.S. £600,000 in cash and £210,000 in food, clothes arid medicine. With these funds C.R.S. had provided emergency relief and long-term medical, agricultural and vocational schemes in 74 countries.
"The problem of world poverty is a challenge to all of us, and our common task is to pool together all the resources we can muster," he wrote. "Money, manpower and knowledge must go hand in hand to assist our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are struggling in a day-to-day tight to help themselves.
-Without help they cannot overcome the legacy of poverty. misery, hunger and illness that has been handed down to them for many gtnerations."
The review will be distributed by the Knights of St. Columba in churches around FIntain after Mass on Sunday. November 21.