EUROPE - Solidarity of European Bishops with those suffering from the earthquake in Abruzzo

Budapest (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and President of the CCEE (Council of European Bishops' Conferences) has issued the following statement in solidarity with the people suffering from the earthquake in Abruzzo: “As I observe with dismay and sadness the enormous destruction, in human and material terms, caused by the earthquake which struck the province of L’Aquila, I want to assure, on behalf of the presidents of the European Bishops’ conferences, my closeness and my prayers to the populations involved in this tragic event. In this circumstance of grief and suffering, Europe is called to be a sign of hope for those people who have lost everything, non only the fruit of their sacrifices and labor, but also the affection of a relative, of a friend, of a neighbor, of a colleague. While I invite those who have been hit by this disaster not to lose their hope, I call on those who are in the position to offer a concrete sign of help to do so without hesitation, even by making economic contributions to the civil and ecclesial institutions in charge of this service.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2009)