On 6 February, a violent earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, causing thousands of deaths and extensive damage to civilian buildings and infrastructure.
The Minister General, Br Massimo Fusarelli, on a visit to Brazil, contacted the Custos of the Holy Land by telephone, who reported: “We are using the parish structures and the Terra Santa College to welcome the parishioners left homeless. Thanks be to God, the friars are well”. He also contacted some Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land who live in Syria, this is their testimony:
Br Fadi Azar from Latakia (the most important Syrian port city): “We had material damage to the bell tower of the church and to the statue of St. Anthony. Many objects fell to the ground in the church, but thank God, we and our parishioners only suffered material damage”.
Br Hanna Yallouf of Yacoubieh: “We thank the Lord because, despite the very strong shock, we are fine and we have not recorded any casualties among Christians. But we have a lot of material damage and injuries, many houses have been destroyed”.
The Minister General expresses in the name of the General Definitory and of the entire Order of Friars Minor the deepest condolences and the closeness of the Franciscans to the affected populations, to the families, to those who have been left homeless and remembers the victims in prayer.
May the Almighty and Merciful Lord have mercy on everyone and keep everyone in his love for him.
Below is the link to support fundraising and aid through the OFM Fraternitas Foundation of the General Curia:
https://www.ofmfraternitas.org/en/donate-for-earthquake-emergency-syria-turkey/
Photos from Aleppo, Knayeh (Syria), and Iskenderun Cathedral (South Turkey)
