Singing priest donates proceeds to earthquake victims

Marist father, Chris Skinner sm, has donated the proceeds from the sale of his Christmas song to victims of last year’s earthquake in Pakistan.
Fr Chris recorded the song, ‘It’s Christmastime in Aotearoa’ late last year with the help of some money fr

Marist father, Chris Skinner sm, has donated the proceeds from the sale of his Christmas song to victims of last year’s earthquake in Pakistan.

Fr Chris recorded the song, ‘It’s Christmastime in Aotearoa’ late last year with the help of some money from a charitable trust. The project raised $3,500 from the sale of almost all of the 600 copies.

Fr Chris says he had support from a number of radio stations and from the Society of Mary which bought 200 copies to send out as Christmas gifts.

He knows one man from Pakistan but has no other connection with the stricken country. But he was moved by the plight of the people of Pakistan when the country was hit by an earthquake last October.

At a time when Muslim people are being targeted for various bombings and other unrest throughout the world, he feels it is important for Christians to reach out to those of a different religious tradition as a sign of solidarity.

Caritas director Mike Smith says the organisation has raised $210,000 for its Pakistan appeal.

Fr Chris’ projects for this year include an illustrated music booklet with the lyrics, melodies and chords of some of his songs and he’s hoping to bring together some of his fellow Marists in a singing project.