Latins of Cyprus_EN

THE LATINS OF CYPRUS 24 The Latin community organises a wide range of charity, humanitarian, cultural and social events. Saint Anthony’s Benevolent Society (1926) and Saint Joseph’s Shelter for Foreign Workers (2000) operate in Nicosia; Saint Catherine’s Benevolent Society (1958), Saint Francis’ Shelter for Foreign Workers (2003) and “AGAPI” non-profit organisation (2016) for the support of the poor and the vulnerable operate in Limassol; operating in Larnaka is the Association of Saint Joseph, Protector of the Needy and the Poor (2011). The Latin community also participates in the “Caritas” Benevolent Organisation - Society of Cyprus (1974, re-organised in 2010). There are also the Holy Cross parish library in Nicosia (1999), the Latin Youth Organisation (2002) and the Latin Community Women’s Association (2017). The “Latin Catholic Centre” in old Nicosia, which was granted to the community in 2016 by the government, is expected to operate within 2017 and will house exhibitions, as well as community and cultural events. The Latin community has the “Terra Santa” Rest Home in Larnaka (1972) - formerly known as “Villa Regina Pacis”, built on the site of the old convent - which houses elderly regardless of their religion or ethnicity, the Latin Community Centre in Kato Pafos (2000) and the “Archangel Michael” Hospice in Mesa Chorio (2014), which cares for patients with incurable diseases. The Latin community does not have its own mass media. However, local parishes have church newsletters and a quarterly letter is sent by the Representative to members and friends of the community (since 1991). Since 1999, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (First Programme) has been broadcasting on a weekly basis a half-hour radio transmission for the Latin community titled “The Latins of Cyprus, yesterday and today” (every Friday, 16:30- 17:00). As of 2008, the community has an official web page, www.latincatholicsofcyprus.com, hosting, among other items, the documentary “A journey through yesterday and today with the Latin religious group”, while as of 2016 the informative Facebook page of the Latin Representative (Latin Catholic Community of Cyprus) has been in operation. The Latin Church of Cyprus’ web site www.cypruscatholicchurch.org has also been operating since 2005. Community Organisations and Activities l Saint Joseph’s Shelter for Foreign Workers in Nicosia. l The “Archangel Michael” Hospice in Mesa Chorio. l The “Terra Santa” Rest Home in Larnaka.