Thank you to St Bride's in Cambuslang and parishes across Scotland

For nearly 60 years, Scotland’s Catholic community, through SCIAF, has reached out with love and compassion to our sisters and brothers around the world. This kindness has enabled millions of lives to be transformed.

Through SCIAF, our Catholic community can provide a lifeline to people living in the world's poorest places or suffering because of disasters. Parishes are at the heart of our work, and we are extremely grateful for all donations given, prayers made, and campaign actions taken by people across Scotland.

We recently talked to Fr Paul Morton of St Bride’s RC Church in Cambuslang to discuss the church's motivation for supporting SCIAF. Each year, St Bride's raises funds for our WEE BOX appeal and has supported numerous emergency appeals and advocacy campaigns.

Fr Paul who has been the parish priest at St Bride’s for nearly 25 years said,

“I feel as if SCIAF has been with me all of my priestly life. I can remember it from my first years and have always been impressed by it. It's rooted here, in people's lives. It’s a charity that people can identify with and are proud of. I've always liked SCIAF as a charity because you feel as if it belongs to us, you know, it's our charity."

Because SCIAF is the official relief agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland, Catholics across the country are able to learn about and take action against injustices around the world through their parishes and schools.

In 2004, the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami tragically killed over 220,000 people. When SCIAF launched an appeal to help those affected, it made a huge impact on Fr Paul. He was grateful that, through SCIAF, the people of Scotland were able to help.

“We raised around £15,000 in this parish. People were just so appalled. There was an overwhelming need to help, and I know it was the same in other parishes as well. We were overwhelmed with people's love at St Bride’s. There were people who were dipping into their savings thinking, 'we have got to do something here'.”

Through the Caritas network, SCIAF has partners in nearly every country in the world. As a result, we are able to respond to emergencies immediately, in a co-ordinated, safe and effective manner.

This global community allows people in Scotland to truly and quickly help those in dire need. SCIAF has been able to help in times of crisis, thanks to the continued support of parishes like St Bride’s. Please know that every penny raised is hugely appreciated.

By coming together like St Bride’s, hundreds of other parishes have made incredibly positive differences to peoples' lives across the world.

Through your donations, prayers, support and campaigning, you continue to act with love and compassion and help our sisters and brothers. Thank you to all at St Bride’s, Fr Morton and everyone who continues to support this vital work of the Catholic Church in Scotland.