At issue is a practice during the 40 days of Lent in which the faithful give up the purchase of goods, reserving the money for projects defined by the bishop of the respective diocese.
According to figures from the Diocese of Viana do Castelo, an average of 20,000 euros are collected each year during Lent, which begins on Wednesday with the celebration of Ash Wednesday, marked by calls for fasting, sharing and penance, which serves as a preparation for Easter, the main feast of the Christian calendar.
In his usual message to the faithful of the Diocese of Viana do Castelo regarding Lent, Anacleto Oliveira says that the temple will be built "in the place of the [church] that was destroyed during the war that devastated this brother country," in the village of Tando-Zinze, parish of Our Lady of Victories of Lucala-Zenze, diocese of Cabinda.
"This sharing, which is allied to fasting and nourished by prayer, is part of our penitential contribution, which this year will be channeled in equal parts for two purposes," he said, noting that the other part of the sum will support an institution in Viana do Castelo.
This is the Family Care Office (GAF), linked to the Barefoot Carmelite Order "and especially dedicated to the reception of people, victims of contempt and rejection, violence and deprivation, and in need of solidarity support".
The two aims of the Lenten renunciation (which results from the money that each Catholic has gathered thanks to the renunciations he made during the Lenten period) were decided by the bishop after listening to the presbyteral and episcopal councils.
