Team Herald
MARGAO: The Catholic Church in Goa has launched a drive to collect funds to help relieve the suffering of the people of Turkey and Syria, after the recent earthquakes in the region. In a release here on Saturday, Fr Maverick Fernandes, Director of Caritas Goa, requested all parish priests, pastors and superiors of religious institutions in the State to appeal to their congregations, to make voluntary contributions to help the victims of the quakes rebuild their lives.
“Even as the rescue operations are on two weeks later, the UN has projected the death toll to cross more than half-a-lakh in the two neighbouring countries. Besides the loss of lives, the extent of devastation has been massive, flattening thousands of buildings and other infrastructural amenities, rendering huge populations homeless to live like refugees,” said Fr Fernandes.
He went on to quote Pope Francis, who called for concrete aid to sustain the victims of the quake during the appalling tragedy.
“The Church in Goa has always been at the forefront to comfort the affected victims of natural calamities through generous financial assistance,” added Fr Fernandes.
The monetary contributions in cheques and demand drafts may be drawn in favour of Caritas Goa Emergency Calamities, A/c 520101219522622 (Savings A/c), IFSC Code UBIN0902594, Union Bank, Panaji Branch, (kindly email to caritas@caritasgoa.org a note that the amount is towards Turkey and Syria disaster). They, along with cash donations, may be handed over to the respective parish priests or at the Caritas-Goa office, Instituto N.S. Piedade, Panaji, said the release.
