HELPING THOSE IN NEED
The Chaplaincy and its members are committed to helping those in need both in Poitou-Charentes and in the wider world: practical help where possible, also friendship and prayer support.
But what about giving money to charities and people in need?
A natural question - and, of course, as a worshipping Christian community we wish to help charities here in our local community in France, and abroad. This will seem normal to people coming from traditions where churches support charities financially as an important part of being a church. But in France a religious association, ‘association cultuelle’, may only use its money for activities associated with worship, and that does not include giving money to the needy. However the Chaplaincy has encouraged collections to be made for charities at Carol services and Harvest festivals. It also supports Christian Aid week and the Christian Aid ‘clean water’ project. Money received in this way and for this purpose is channelled through CATCH. This is an association ‘culturelle’ (the letter “r” is significant) known in France as an ‘association caritative’. Although set up and run by Chaplaincy members CATCH has its own constitution, bank account etc.. It is legally quite separate from the Chaplaincy, so its details are shown below: please do read them.
CATCH: (Charitable Association of the Chaplaincy of Poitou-Charentes). In ‘Helping those in need’ above, you will have noted that in France a Church may not make gifts to charities from its own funds. To support Charitable giving some members of the Chaplaincy founded CATCH, an association caritative. How does this work?
CATCH does not raise money on its own behalf but acts as an agent for those who wish to give to charity, especially from within the Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy Council has often decided to support charities and has done this by taking a collection and passing the money to CATCH, so keeping it separate from Chaplaincy accounts. CATCH then sends a cheque to the nominated charity.
Home groups also support the work of Christian Aid in its “Clean Water” scheme. This money is also processed through CATCH.
Regular reports about Charitable giving are published in “Jubilate”. Everyone is welcome to become a member of CATCH and attend the AGM where the audited accounts are presented for approval.
Individuals may also use CATCH to make donations to charities or to individuals in need, using the hardship fund in the CATCH accounts; but please note that there is no tax advantage to the charity or the donor in using CATCH.
Collections at funerals or weddings, indeed any occasion, may also be channelled through CATCH. These too are reported in “Jubilate” except where anonymity in requested (this is always respected - only the treasurer knows the donor and the recipient is only known to the President of CATCH, the treasurer and auditor).
Charities which have been supported through CATCH include: Christian Aid’s General Fund, and its Appeals after the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods; TEARFUND; Resto du Coeur; Santé Nord Niger; The Royal British Legion; and The Mission Lepre.
The Treasurer is Richard Beech, his phone number is 05 45 85 75 03
