KL Archdiocese donates almost RM250k for Peter’s Pence

Oct 21, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR (Herald Malaysia): Archbishop Joseph Marino, on behalf of Pope Francis, thanked Archbishop Julian Leow and the people of the Archdiocese for their contribution of RM 240,231.15 to the Peter’s Pence collection for 2015.

“I wish to thank you sincerely for this most generous offer, which represents a true sense of ecclesial communion with the Holy See, and with the ministry of the Holy Father himself who is entrusted to care for the entire Church, oftentimes undertaken with acts of charity for those most in need,” said the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia.

“Pope Francis himself is very grateful for this gift. As he said to the delegation of the Pro Petri Sede Association, when their own collection was given to him on Feb 16, 2015, ‘With the precious gift that you give today to Peter’s Successor, you come in aid of the peoples harshly tried in various parts of the world. With this solidarity, you also offer them spiritual comfort, that they may not feel forgotten in their trials, but continue to ceaselessly hope. I heartily thank you for this on their behalf. ’”

The Peter’s Pence Collection derives its name from an ancient custom. In ninth-century England, King Alfred the Great collected money, a “pence,” from landowners as financial support for the Pope. Today, the Peter’s Pence Collection supports the Pope’s philanthropy by giving the Holy Father the means to provide emergency assistance to those in need because of natural disaster, war, oppression, and disease.