Syrian crisis: appeals for peace and solidarity

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Over the past two weeks, the Syrian crisis has met with appeals for peace and solidarity, including those by Pope Francis. His invitation for a day of prayer and fasting on September 7, 2013, brought together a crowd of over 100,000 in Saint Peter’s Square, Rome. In addition to the prayer vigil in Rome, Catholics, other Christians, and members of other religions throughout the world have supported the Pope’s call for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world. Bishops across Canada, united with Pope Francis, led special services over the last weekend. This coming Saturday, September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, many Canadian dioceses are also organizing a day of prayer and fasting. This date marks the conclusion of a joint campaign by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) to raise emergency aid for Syrian refugees.

Pope’s homily at the Prayer Vigil

CCCB welcomes Pope’s appeal for peace in Syria

Communiqué from Development and Peace

Video message from the Most Rev. Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec (in French)

Communiqué from the Archdiocese of Edmonton

Message from the Most Rev. Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau (in French)

Communiqué from the Archdiocese of Montréal

Message from His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto

Message from the Most Rev. J. Michael Miller, C.S.B., Archbishop of Vancouver