NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      BUENOS AIRES (CWNews.com) - According to an opinion poll carried out in Argentina and released this week, the Catholic Church tops the ranking of confidence among institutions involved in social relief services.

      The Gallup poll sponsored by the National Association of Volunteer Work, said 64 percent of adults believe the Catholic Church is a highly reliable provider of social relief and health care. Non-governmental organizations followed with 58 percent and public schools and universities receiving 56 percent and 53 percent, respectively. Political parties appeared at the bottom of the list with only 12 per cent.

      The poll also showed that the number of Argentineans contributing money, goods, or time increased in the last two years. In fact, the percentage of Argentineans cooperating in some way with social organizations jumped from 39 to 46 percent from 1996 to 1998. Another 17 percent gave direct donations to poor people or relatives in need.

      On September 8, the Argentine government gave the yearly Congressional award to the Catholic relief organization "Caritas," for its "outstanding effort to help the victims of the floods in the northern region."