VATICAN - The Pontifical Mission Societies, with the Pope, alongside the populations affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Monday, 13 February 2023 earthquake   pontifical mission societies   solidarity   humanitarian aid   fundraising  

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - According to the latest estimates, there are more than 41 thousand victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria. A death toll that is unfortunately destined to increase, a huge and immense human tragedy in the face of which, from the very first hours, countless solidarity initiatives have started all over the world.
The National Directions of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), regularly committed to supporting the mission territories, in the face of an emergency of these proportions and accepting the appeals of Pope Francis to support the populations with prayer and concrete actions affected by the earthquake, have immediately launched an ad hoc fundraising campaign.
The proceeds of the collection carried out by the National Directions of the PMS will be managed through Archbishop Emilio Nappa, President of PMS, in coordination with of the PMS Directions of Turkey and Syria, who are aware of the needs and urgencies of the local Churches.
"My message is an invitation to prayer and generosity, not only now, but also afterwards - said Father Father Adrian E. Loza, OFM, Director of the PMS in Turkey, in a note released by the National Direction of the PMS-Australia. "After the first moments", adds Father Adrian "the second and third phases will start. From mourning to reconstruction. We will have to rebuild and repair many buildings and churches to serve the people, as well as help people move forward".
The Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States, Switzerland, France, Spain, Malta and Australia were among the first National Directions to launch the appeal in favor of the populations of Turkey and Syria, on social networks.
"The situation in Aleppo today is catastrophic, we are surrounded by chaos and desolation", explains Monsignor Mounir Saccal, National Director of PMS in Syria and Vicar General of the Syro-Catholic Church in Aleppo, in a statement released by the PMS of Spain. "Today – Monsignor Mounir adds – we bury our dead, and we understand the extent of this disaster, realizing that we are unable to meet the economic needs to repair the damage on our own. Help us so that our Christian faithful who have remained continue to stay here, to preserve ‘the cradle’ of Christianity. And pray, pray that we have the strength to give comfort to our people, so that they can find faith and hope for better days". (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 13/2/2023)


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