Roughly seven million people within Syria need emergency assistance and more than 1.6 million people have fled the country because of the violent repression in the Middle Eastern nation.

In a letter to Canadian Catholics, Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, is calling for solidarity with Syrians through prayer and works of charity.

“As a community of faith, let us pray to God to bring justice, peace and healing to the region,” Smith said in his June 19 letter. “Let each of us do what we can to provide assistance and aid to our suffering brothers and sisters in Syria and its neighbouring countries.”

The bishops’ campaign, run jointly with Development and Peace, begins June 30. It will culminate with a day of prayer and fasting for the people of Syria and the Middle East on Sept. 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Donations should be sent to Development and Peace (www.devp. org) prior to Sept. 14. Parishes and dioceses will also hold collections to raise funds for the campaign.

Revenue collected in the campaign will help the extensive work in the Middle East being conducted by Catholic charities and development agencies, especially Caritas Internationalis.

Pope Francis, the archbishop said, has asked all Catholic charitable organizations to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people who are often defenceless.

Smith said all efforts to help the victims of the Syrian tragedy must be supported by intense prayer.

“When we fast and pray for the people of Syria and the Middle East Sept. 14, let us lift up to the Lord the needs of the Syrian homeless and wounded, their broken families and shattered lives, and pray for an end to the hostilities and for lasting peace.”

(Western Catholic Reporter)