Local and global Catholic leaders urge prayer as aid groups organize relief in the aftermath of powerful earthquakes that devastated regions of Turkey and Syria earlier this month.
Two powerful earthquakes — both above 7.0 magnitude according to the United States Geological Survey — struck parts of Turkey and Syria Feb. 6. As of Feb. 16, the combined death toll for both regions had climbed to nearly 40,000, with more than 100,000 people injured. Thousands of buildings were destroyed.
Archbishop Samir Nassar — who leads the Maronite Archeparchy of Damascus in Syria and visited the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Jan. 26-31 to celebrate and strengthen his archeparchy’s partnership with the archdiocese — said the need following the earthquakes is overwhelming.
“Forty seconds made 9 million refugees homeless again,” Archbishop Nassar wrote in an email to The Catholic Spirit about the earthquakes. “Please pray for them.”
During his January visit, Archbishop Nassar talked about the fragmentation of families because of Syria’s ongoing civil war and other unrest in the region. He helps minister to refugees in his community who are deprived of resources and shelter.
According to the Center for Mission, which serves the archdiocese and facilitated Archbishop Nassar’s recent visit, the following collections have been organized by Catholic institutions to help those in Syria and Turkey:
Pontifical Mission Societies — This fund provides food, shelter and clothing to those in need. Donations can be made online.
Catholic Relief Services — The U.S. Catholic Church’s overseas relief and development agency offers food, shelter, clean water and hygiene supplies. Donate online.
The Catholic Near East Welfare Association — Aid to families in Syria and Turkey through this organization consists of food, medicine, bedding and baby essentials — including formula and diapers. Donations can be made online.
During a Jan. 27 interview at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul, Archbishop Nassar said he finds his hope in the rosary and in prayer to Our Lady.
He has noticed, too, that in recent years, those who gather at his church for Mass “use a new kind of prayer; they are praying in silence, a silent prayer … crying, sometimes meditating” which calls to mind for him Mary’s silent prayer.
During his general audience Feb. 8, Pope Francis spoke to the need in Turkey in Syria, regions that are “in part already martyred by a long war,” and urged solidarity.
“Let us pray together so that these our brothers and sisters can go forth in the face of this tragedy, and let us ask Our Lady to protect them,” Pope Francis said.
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