Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options

Australia’s spot on the top of the list of the world’s most generous donor countries reflects its citizens’ “very big hearts,” said the head of the nation’s Catholic aid agency, Caritas. The survey of 153 countries compiled by the British-based Charities Aid Foundation found 70 percent of Australians had given money to a charity. Australians “see the fundamental need of people in poverty throughout the world,” said Jack de Groot, chief executive officer of Caritas Australia. “Even through the time of the global financial crisis, Australians were still generous.” Released Sept. 8, the World Giving Index placed Australia and New Zealand first, with Canada and Ireland tied for third, the United States fifth and the United Kingdom eighth. Australians give approximately $800 million (US $741 million) a year to all international aid agencies. Caritas Australia receives about 3 percent of that, with more than 50 charities benefitting.

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

This week on “Preach,” the Rev. Peter Wojcik, the pastor of St. Clement Church in Chicago, Ill., preaches for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B, and shares strategies for preaching to a parish of mostly young adults.
PreachApril 28, 2024
“His presence brings prestige to our nation and to the entire Group of 7. It is the first time that a pope will participate in the work of the G7,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
Gerard O’ConnellApril 26, 2024
“Many conflicting, divergent and often contradictory views of the human person have found wide acceptance … they have led to holders of traditional theories being cancelled or even losing their jobs,” the bishops said.
Robots can give you facts. But they can’t give you faith.
Delaney CoyneApril 26, 2024