Special national collection to aid the population of the Philippines

Tuesday, November 12 2013

(CCCB – Ottawa)… The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has joined with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) to prepare a first response and a plan of continuing aid for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. The CCCB is asking that a special national collection be held before December 9, 2013 in the dioceses and parishes of Canada to support the massive relief effort it is mounting in collaboration with CCODP and other member organizations of the Caritas Internationalis family, to aid the population of Philippines in desperate need arising from this natural disaster.

Development and Peace is participating in the response of the global Caritas family to this emergency, and has already sent a first contribution of $100,000 to Caritas Philippines to provide immediate support (basic temporary shelters, emergency food and water supplies, medicines, etc.) for the victims.

In a letter addressed to the Bishops of Canada, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the CCCB, reminded his brother Bishops the appeal of Pope Francis during his weekly Angelus Prayer at the Vatican this past Sunday: “Pope Francis invited us to pray publicly and privately for the many who have lost their lives or have been affected by this terrible tragedy and to come to their assistance”.

According to its official announcement, the Government of Canada has pledged a matching contribution of all donations received prior to December 9, 2013, by Development and Peace and other eligible charities.

Link to the CCCB President letter (PDF)
Link to the special Webpage of Development and Peace