What We Do

Bishops’ Appeal works in three main ways in response to need:

• Emergency Appeals

A vehicle for members of the Church of Ireland to come to the aid of those in great need in times of great need through natural disaster or war and destruction. Together with the Archbishops of the Church of Ireland, the Bishops’ Appeal committee launches a special appeal, and the funds raised are sent through trusted partners in the local community to enable emergency aid to reach through in need as quickly as possible.

Over the last few years members of the Church of Ireland have responded with incredible generosity to bring relief and emergency supplies to those impacted by the war in Ukraine, the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, devastating floods in Libya, and the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East.

• Project Grants

The Bishops’ Appeal committee meets five times each year to consider applications that have been received for support for projects. As we do not have the capacity to carry out due diligence on every application and every project, the committee works with trusted partners, charities who have a track record of working in a local community who have the people, the contacts and are able to show how the project will make a significant difference in the lives of local people. Often we work through local churches who have existing structures that enable projects to be delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner, and who are able to demonstrate the difference that the grant has made to local beneficiaries.

During the first few months of 2025 Bishops’ Appeal has supported projects in Nepal, Egypt, Uganda, the Philippines, Zimbabwe and DRC.

• Diocesan Projects

From time to time an individual diocese may adopt its own project as a focus for fundraising for world development.

In 2023 Bishop Michael Burrows used his peregrination around the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe to raise funds for two projects channelled through Bishops’ Appeal – a literacy project in Burundi through Mothers’ Union, and a development project in Madagascar through Feed the Minds.

During Lent 2022 Bishop David McClay cycled round the Diocese of Down and Dromore, visiting every parish to raise awareness for Bishops’ Appeal, and collecting donations that were sent to support projects in Honduras through Christian Aid, and Jordan with Tearfund.

In 2024 Bishop Paul Colton launched a new diocesan appeal in Cork, Cloyne and Ross for a partnership with Christian Aid to raise funds for a project in Sierra Leone.