Murry brings global views to the region

The bishop has traveled to trouble spots throughout the world to offer spiritual and material assistance.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
"Dynamic, active, smart and caring" describes Bishop George V. Murry in the words of Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore.
Hackett has worked with the bishop on global relief efforts and will be attending the bishop's installation service Wednesday in St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown.
Catholic Relief Services, the official U.S. Catholic Bishops' overseas relief and development agency, is the coordinating office for American Catholics' response to overseas disasters.
Add responsive to the list of Bishop Murry's qualities.
"Less than 48 hours after the earthquake in Pakistan, Bishop Murry was on a plane there as a representative of the board," Hackett said of the 2005 natural disaster.
Bishop Murry has served on the board of CRS since 2002.
In the wake of the 2004 tsunami, Bishop Murry also traveled to Korraikupam, India, where he met with Hackett and other CRS officials. CRS provided shelter, food, counseling, school materials and plans for longer-term rehabilitation.
In a news article for the diocesan newspaper in the Virgin Islands, where Bishop Murry had been assigned, the bishop commended immediate relief efforts made possible by CRS and other agencies. But he focused on CRS' long-term commitment to the area, and to people rebuilding their lives and communities.
"I think the bishop's understanding of the world -- from his extensive travels to Africa, Asia and Central America -- gives him an appreciation of the global situation and how Youngstown and the people of faith fit into it," Hackett said.
Catholic Charities
The bishop's understanding of how CRS works globally translates easily to the workings of Catholic Charities, which is described as "the administrative arm of the bishop for carrying out the social concerns activities of the Diocese of Youngstown."
Brian Corbin, Catholic Charities executive director, said the bishop is chairman of the board and the structure is corporate-based. The agency's mission is to provide services to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.
Catholic Charities' advisory board, responsible for leadership and financial accountability, has set priorities for the use of funds: Emergency services to individuals and families, family services and counseling, child welfare services, connections with parish-based ministries, and housing and neighborhood development.
Fund allocations
Catholic Charities allocates funds collected through the Bishop's Appeal for Church and Charity to the central office departments of Social Services, Social Action and Development and Stewardship. Funds also are allocated to the Catholic Charities Regional Social Service Agencies and Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities.
Grants are made to local organizations serving the needs of others and furthering the church's interest in social concerns.
"We work with the board and decisions are made after reflection and dialogue," Corbin said. "We take our leadership from the bishop.
"But a new bishop means new ideas, a new perspective," he said.
Corbin did point out that since the diocese has had no bishop for almost two years, Catholic Charities "stayed the course" and was "careful and prudent." "There were no major changes," he said.
But for recent disasters, the monetary donations have come in. Corbin said donations for hurricane relief after Katrina have totaled 480,955 to date. The Rebuild Church-Rebuild Hope, a church reconstruction project, has garnered 24,000 so far.
Other donations are being accepted for victims of the tornado that ripped through Central Florida last month and the July 2006 Indonesian earthquake, and tsunami and typhoon in the Philippines relief efforts.