A major earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, killed more than 19,000 people and caused massive destruction.
Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, mourned the loss of so many, called for the faithful to pray for those impacted and to give generously to those in need. As the death toll rises, rescue workers continue trying to free people from the rubble and survivors face freezing conditions.
“I join with our Holy Father Pope Francis in praying for the souls of the departed as we mourn the loss of so many lives. We pray for those injured and the many others suffering and we also pray for the safety and protection of emergency personnel working to save lives and tending to those in need in the wake of this disaster,” Bishop Malloy said.
He asked the faithful to give generously to Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, who are working to provide emergency humanitarian relief.
Click here for information on donating to CRS and here for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.