The U.S. bishops are urging Catholics to contribute to the Ash Wednesday Collection, which supports the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This initiative was established 35 years ago following an appeal by St. John Paul II to assist in rebuilding the Church in regions affected by persecution.

Bishop Gerald L. Vincke, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, emphasized the importance of this collection amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He stated, “Since 1990 the bishops of the United States have worked closely with Church leaders in nations where Catholics were persecuted, imprisoned or worse because they refused to abandon their faith.” Bishop Vincke added that these relationships enable swift delivery of pastoral and humanitarian aid.

The collection aims to support Ukrainian war victims and ministries across nearly 30 countries that experienced persecution under communist rule for seven decades. "As the war against Ukraine makes this collection ever more urgent, my prayer is that all Catholics will give generously," said Bishop Vincke.

Parishes will conduct the collection on Ash Wednesday, March 5, with additional donations accepted through #iGiveCatholicTogether online. In 2023, over $8.75 million funded 329 projects through this effort.