26 February 2020

Tuesday 25 February marked the launch of Caritas Australia’s 2020 Project Compassion campaign.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The campaign demonstrates how the power of hope continues to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable. The theme for this year’s Project Compassion is ‘Go Further Together’.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli attended the 2020 Project Compassion launch at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, Caroline Springs, with representatives from a number of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Archbishop Peter reflected on the phrase ‘think globally, act locally’, which was once a phrase used by Caritas Australia.

He suggested that ‘the presence of the love of God is found if you think locally and then act globally’ instead.

In his blessing of Project Compassion 2020, the Archbishop invited everyone to begin their mission at a local level ‘because it’s how we learn to love one another’.

‘Caritas and the work of Project Compassion is very much about learning how to think locally, so we may then act globally’, he added.

Schools, parishes and individuals are encouraged to take part in this year’s campaign, with specific resources available from the Project Compassion schools webpage. Schools undertaking activities to promote compassion can contact Catholic Education Melbourne at publications@cem.edu.au to share their images and stories.