Santiago, Chile, Jan 15, 2010 / 11:09 am
Expressing their solidarity with the people of Haiti, the bishops of Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile announced they would organize national collections to help provide food, shelter and medicine to the earthquake victims.
No one can remain indifferent in the face of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake, the bishops said. They called on the international community to care for the immediate needs of the Haitian people and urged Christians to show solidarity with the Caribbean nation.
Bishops in Chile, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador announced they would hold second collections on Sunday, January 24 in support of the relief efforts. The Chilean bishops noted, “Monetary contributions are the best way to make a direct contribution to solving the grave needs that this violent earthquake has caused. With the help of the expert teams of Caritas International, these resources will be distributed in coordination with local organizations in Haiti.”
The Mexican Bishops’ Conference exhorted “all Catholics and people of good” to pray and generously “support our Haitian brothers and sisters.”