February 25, 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis reminds us that "hope should be granted to the billions of the poor who often lack the essentials of life" and that "the goods of the Earth are not destined for a privileged few but for everyone." (Spes Non Confundit, 15-16). This is a time for renewal, reflection, and action, and we are called to bring hope and fairness to the world.
Inspired by this call, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (DPCC), the official development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada, invites each of us to join Caritas Internationalis' global Share Lent campaign, Turn Debt into Hope.
Caritas Internationalis is one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, and DPCC is a proud member. Together, they are calling for fair treatment for communities burdened by debt they cannot repay.
In the Bible, a Jubilee year included three key actions: freeing slaves, letting the land rest, and cancelling debts. Today, we are encouraged to take similar steps to restore hope. Many countries in the Global South struggle with overwhelming debt, which makes life harder for their people. Pope Francis’ message for this Jubilee Year shares that "if we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, we must commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts." (Spes Non Confundit, 16).
I encourage you to join a worldwide community of Catholics in bringing hope to all people by:
• Supporting the Share Lent campaign by donating generously, especially on Solidarity Sunday, April 6, 2025. These donations will help communities in need. Parishes will have special donation envelopes available, or you can give online at: https://devp.org/en/give-now-2/
• Signing the global petition asking for the cancellation of unfair debts, a fair financial system, and better rules for debt at the United Nations: https://devp.org/en/campaign/turn-debt-into-hope/act-debt-2025/
• Learning more about turning debt into hope and embracing the call of hope in the 2025 Jubilee Year: https://devp.org/en/campaign/turn-debt-into-hope/
Through our generosity and advocacy, we can help turn debt into hope. Let us listen to Pope Francis and support those suffering under unfair debt. In this Jubilee Year, may we show our faith through acts of kindness, justice, and solidarity.
May God bless you and your families.
In Communion and Hope,
Most Reverend Gary Gordon
Bishop of Victoria
