The Archdiocese of Liverpool has, today, announced a donation of £20,000 to the Masks4NHSHeroes campaign for the purchase of personal protective equipment for the NHS. Announcing the move in one of his regular video messages, The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool, says the donation will ‘support the medical staff who are, with bravery and selflessness, on the frontline for all of us’.
The Archbishop says:
‘I think we are challenged at this time, to think how we as a Church can put our words into action. Our normal ways of operating and contributing, inspired by our faith, by having our churches open to the whole community, by worshipping and praying, by the immense contribution of our parish volunteers – have been stopped, or at least severely restricted, by the need to stay at home and avoid travel where possible. This is deeply frustrating for a church reminded by St Teresa of Avila that:
“Christ has no body on earth now but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours; yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on the world; yours are the feet with which he walks to do good; yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.”
‘We are all desperate to play our part. I am also very conscious that one of the charitable objectives of our own Archdiocese is “the cure or alleviation of sickness or disease”. I have concluded therefore that a way we can make a significant contribution to the effort to fight this virus, is to support the medical staff who are, with bravery and selflessness, on the frontline for all of us. At this time, I believe they are truly the hands of Christ. They are a living expression of the words of Pope Francis in his Urbi et Orbi Blessing: “We can look to so many exemplary companions for the journey, who, even though fearful, have reacted by giving their lives…This is the force of the spirit poured out and fashioned in courageous and generous self-denial.” In recognition of this the Archdiocese will therefore be donating £20,000 for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) which will be given to the NHS. With this they can protect themselves, protect their patients and work safely for all of us.’
Masks4NHSHeroes are at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/masks4nhsheroes
