Anglican Diocese of Toronto earmarks $500,000 for refugee work

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2015 /CNW/ - The Anglican Diocese of Toronto has once again made a major commitment to helping those in need, earmarking $500,000 for refugee work.

Archbishop Colin Johnson says the funds would be used to assist refugees not only from the Middle East but from other parts of the globe such as Africa and Asia. Some of the money could also be used to support agencies in Canada and overseas that are working directly with refugees.

Archbishop Johnson said the Diocese will not directly sponsor refugees. Rather, he would like the money to be made available in the form of matching grants to parishes that want to sponsor refugees or work with other churches and outside groups.

"I want to see how we can build partnerships in order to do this because that creates community," he said. "Bringing refugees to Canada is all about creating communities."

This is the diocese's second major commitment in 2015 to helping those in need. Earlier this year, it had given $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity GTA to build affordable housing in Toronto.

The Diocese of Toronto, founded in 1839, is the most populous of the 30 dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada. It extends over 26,000 square kilometres, stretching from Mississauga to Brighton and north to Haliburton. Some 222 congregations in 193 parishes are located in the Diocese.

SOURCE Anglican Diocese of Toronto

Stuart Mann, Director of Communication, [email protected], 416-363-6021, ext. 247.