A national collection will be held this weekend August 21 and 22 in Catholic churches across Ireland in aid of survivors of Pakistan's devastating floods. Bishop John Kirby, Bishop of Clonfert and chairman of Trócaire, is urging Irish parishioners to support collections in their local parishes to help Pakistani people cope with the worst flooding in the history of the state. Trócaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Bishop John Kirby is asking parishioners to help raise life-saving funds for Pakistan’s suffering people.
“These floods have left unimaginable destruction and families are in a desperate struggle to survive,” Bishop Kirby said. “Up to 20 million people have had their lives ruined. Entire communities have been washed away, leaving millions homeless and hungry. People are being forced to drink dirty, polluted water and the fear is that children and adults will contract fatal water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, which is a leading cause of childhood death.
“This weekend, as the situation continues to deteriorate and more heavy rains are predicted, I am asking people to give what they can through their local church collection and to answer the call of our brothers and sisters in Pakistan during this crucial time. While this is a financially difficult time for many Irish families, I am asking that, this weekend, we remember the life-and-death plight facing many Pakistani families who are considerably worse off than ourselves.”
To find out more about Trócaire’s work in Pakistan trocaire.org or call 1850 408 408.
