Denver Catholic

12 OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 10, 2017 | DENVER CATHOLIC PAID ADVERTISEMENT Most Americans are familiar with the terrible drought that brought tremendous suff ering to the Midwest during the 1930s, turning that area into a "Dust Bowl" of misery and extreme poverty. Haunting photographs of that time show the impact of drought in shellshocked eyes, drawn faces, abandoned homesteads, starving children and desperate parents. It was a terrible moment in history. Today, Africa faces a similar calamity, and while the media has only begun to cover the story, world leaders are already expressing their concerns that the drought- induced famine could soon become the worst human disaster since 1945. "Like the Americans impacted by the drought in the 1930s, Africans in the affected areas are heavily reliant on farming and livestock to survive. Their goats and cows are dying in huge numbers and when they are gone, the people will have nothing to eat or to sell in order to purchase food for their families. I don't see how they will survive without our help," said Jim Cavnar of Cross Catholic Outreach, one of the Catholic missions trying to mobilize help for famine-ravaged families. Cavnar recently returned from Kenya where he visited several priests seeking assistance to save families in their dioceses. Cross Catholic Outreach stepped forward to provide an immediate supply of food staples for distribution; but it will only be able to continue the effort if it receives public support from American Catholics, according to Cavnar. "We've responded to Pope Francis' call to action on Africa and have started an outreach, but it is a program we can only sustain week to week with public support," he said. "Right now, one of our main goals is to make the public aware of the severity of this disaster. Politics have been dominating the news, and very little about the situation in Africa is reaching people in America. We want Americans to understand the impact of this drought, see the effects of the famine, and open their hearts to the cries of the poor." Cavnar is convinced that as more U.S. Catholics learn about the suffering in Africa, they will respond. "World leaders believe the Africa famine has the potential to be the worst human disaster since World War II. When people finally learn the facts and see the pictures, I'm sure their hearts will go out to the suffering," he said. "Americans know they are incredibly blessed by God. They will want to give back in a situation like this." To support Cross Catholic Outreach's efforts to help the poor worldwide, use the ministry brochure enclosed in this issue of the paper or mail your donation to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC01340, PO Box 97168, Washington DC 20090-7168. Africa Drought and Famine — "Worst Human Disaster Since World War II" Signs of malnutrition can now be seen throughout the region, weakening both villagers and livestock. Without rain, these Kenyans depend on us for help. Cross Catholic Outreach's range of relief work to help the poor overseas continues to be recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. and abroad. "We've received more than 100 endorsements from Bishops and Archbishops," explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO). "They're moved by the fact that we've launched outreaches in almost 40 countries and have undertaken a variety of projects — everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying safe water and supporting educational opportunities for the poorest of the poor. The bishops have also been impressed by Cross Catholic Outreach's direct and meaningful response to emergency situations, most recently by providing food, medicines and other resources to partners in Haiti, El Salvador and areas of Belize impacted by natural disasters." Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, supported this mission in a recent endorsement, writing: "It is a privilege for me to support Cross Catholic Outreach. This organization funds ministries to our neighbors in need in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Pacific. Through the generosity of so many, the love of God is made visible to many who are coping with the most difficult of daily living conditions." In addition to praising CCO's accomplishments, many of the Bishops and Archbishops are encouraged that Pontifical canonical status was conferred on the charity in September 2015, granting it approval as an official Catholic organization. This allows Cross Catholic Outreach to participate in the mission of the Church and to give a concrete witness to Gospel Charity, in collaboration with the Holy Father. Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, Ohio, highlighted this unique connection. "Cross Catholic Outreach's close collaboration with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum/ Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a source of encouragement," the Archbishop said. "The Holy See has unique knowledge of local situations throughout the world through its papal representatives in nearly 200 countries and through its communications with Bishops." Cross Catholic Outreach Endorsed by More Than 100 Bishops, Archbishops LEFT SIDE PAGE

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