EARTHQUAKES ROCK
TURKEY AND SYRIA
Archdiocese of Boston Special Collection
February 19-20
Supporting the efforts of Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
Photo by Hasan Huseyin Kul/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The images coming out of Turkey and Syria following the February 6, 7.8 magnitude earthquake, are showing the world that the people there are experiencing immense suffering, destruction, and death.
According to a Reuters report on February 15, the death toll now stands at more than 35,000 in Turkey and more than 5,800 in Syria.
Catholic Relief Services reports that “across affected areas in both countries, apartment buildings and schools have been leveled. For Syrians, the damage took place in areas already devastated by years of war. In Turkey, the airports and the high roads of Anatolia are closed, and most hospitals are unusable. Schools have been closed across the country.”
Recognizing the growing need for assistance, Cardinal Seán has asked that a special collection be taken the weekend of February 18-19, 2023, in all parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Funds raised will help to provide safe shelter, and access to food, clean water, and hygiene supplies. The USCCB has requested that we encourage the faithful to generously support the efforts of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association who are working to provide emergency humanitarian relief.
Contributions may be made during the special second collection at all Masses on the weekend of February 19-20. Please make checks payable to your parish (St. John Parish or St. Paul Parish) with “Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief” noted in the memo. (Checks may also be mailed/dropped to either parish office.)
Donations may also be made online by visiting either parish’s Online Giving page (St. John Online Giving or St. Paul Online Giving.)
The Archdiocese will process all funds raised directly to CRS.
Cardinal Seán is grateful to the parishes of the Archdiocese for their expression of solidarity with those who are suffering. The Archdiocese has a long track record of stepping up in times of natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis to help people all over the world recover and rebuild.