I am making a warm appeal that on Sunday, August 16, became the Day of solidarity with the inhabitants of Beirut, wrote the chairman of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki in his appeal for help for the inhabitants of the capital of Lebanon.
The chairman of the Episcopate called for all churches and chapels in Poland to include in the common prayer a summons for the victims of the tragedy, both living and dead. He also asked that on that day, in front of all churches and chapels in Poland, after all Holy Masses, to organize a collection of funds that would be donated to the victims through Caritas Polska.
At the same time, he thanked everyone for the help already offered, «especially the Polish firefighters and medics who went to the scene of the accident the day after the tragedy to provide emergency aid and fight for the health and life of the victims of the tragedy.» «I would like to thank all those who will support the victims of the events in Beirut with solidarity and kindness,» wrote the President of the Episcopate.
August 4 this year there was a massive explosion of explosives in Beirut. The event turned out to be tragic, with 150 fatalities (and the number still increasing), over 5,000. injuries and property damage estimated at billions of dollars.
Following is the full text of the Appeal:
Warsaw, August 7, 2020
The appeal of the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for help for the inhabitants of Beirut
On Tuesday, August 4, harrowing reports circulated around the world from Beirut, in which there was a massive explosion of explosives. The event turned out to be tragic and the scale of the damage was shocking. 150 fatalities (and the number continues to increase), over 5,000 injuries, and billions of dollars of property damage.
The suffering inhabitants of Beirut need our prayers and material support. As a Church in Poland, we launched the available aid funds immediately through Caritas Polska. However, the needs are much greater. Just as we came to the aid of the victims of other tragedies, we want to show our noble Polish hearts and express our brotherly love in a concrete way.
So I am making a warm appeal that Sunday, August 16 this year. became the Day of solidarity with the people of Beirut. I am asking that in all churches and chapels in Poland, in the common prayer, I would like to add a summons for the living and dead victims of the tragedy. I also ask that on that day, in front of all churches and chapels in Poland, after all Holy Masses, to organize a collection of funds, which, through Caritas Polska, will be transferred to the victims.
I would like to thank everyone for the help already offered, especially to the Polish firefighters and medics who went to the scene of the accident the day after the tragedy to provide emergency aid and fight for the health and life of the victims of the tragedy. Today I would like to thank all those who will support the victims of the events in Beirut with solidarity and kindness.
I bless you all with my heart,
+ Stanisław Gądecki
Metropolitan Archbishop of Poznań
Chairman of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Vice-President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE)
