The Archbishop of Dublin,
Diarmuid Martin, has asked that a special collection due to be taken up
at all Masses this weekend be used to help with the relief effort in
the Philippines as well as that in Syria. The second collection at Dublin Masses at the weekend is to be replaced by a special collection, asked for by the Irish Bishops, for the relief effort in Syria.
In a letter to all priests of the Diocese this afternoon, the Archbishop said “As news continues to arrive concerning the disastrous situation caused in the Philippines by the devastating typhoon Haiyan. Urgent requests are coming from the Church in the Philippines for prayers and for help to provide immediate relief for hundreds of thousands of people who are struggling simply to stay alive.”
He said that in the light of these developments, the collection at all Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday next (16th-17th November), will be for both disasters: 50% going to relief in Syria and 50% for immediate relief in the Philippines.
“I would ask you to appeal to Mass goers to be particularly generous in the face of these two disasters,” said Archbishop Martin, “I am conscious of the fact that many people here in Ireland are under great financial pressure at this moment, but I have no doubt that those who can, will be willing to support the Filipino and Syrian people.”
Meanwhile, on Sunday evening next at 18.30pm Archbishop Martin will celebrate Mass in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral for the situation in the Philippines. He said many members of the Filipino community here in Dublin are anxiously awaiting news of loved ones as the scale of the damage caused by the natural disaster continues to unfold. He invited all who wished to join with him in prayer on Sunday evening.
Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the typhoon after the Sunday Angelus in St Peter’s Square. He firstly called for silent prayer, and then led the faithful in a recitation of the Hail Mary.
Furthermore, he urged those present to help their
brothers and sisters in the Philippines concretely, as well as through
prayer.