Archbishop Weisenburger asks Detroit-area Catholics to be 'most generous' in helping groups working to end starvation crisis
DETROIT — Joining bishops across the United States, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger is urging Detroit-area Catholics "to be most generous" this week and next in supporting a "critical collection" to provide emergency humanitarian aid for the starving people of Gaza, a crisis that has reached "catastrophic" levels, he said.
Give now to support Gaza relief efforts
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Near East Welfare Association
The collection, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be taken up the weekends of Aug. 16-17 and Aug. 23-24 in Detroit-area parishes. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the USCCB, has asked dioceses across the United States to participate in the collection.
"We mourn the terrible sufferings of Christians and other innocent victims of violence in Gaza who are struggling to survive, to protect their children, and to live humanely in tragic circumstances," Archbishop Weisenburger said in a bulletin announcement distributed to parishes Aug. 12. "Pope Leo continues to call for a ceasefire and for aid to enter the territory, noting with great sorrow that 'Gaza is starving.'”
All funds from the special collection will be used by Catholic Relief Services, which is on site in Gaza and partnering with local Church entities to provide food, shelter, financial assistance, hygiene supplies and trauma assistance; and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which is providing "vital emergency humanitarian relief and medical care for the sick, malnourished, and wounded," Archbishop Weisenburger said.
Donations can also be made directly to either Catholic Relief Services or the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
"Your generosity is an opportunity to serve Christ Himself," Archbishop Weisenburger said.
Pope Leo XIV and Catholic ambassadors around the world have highlighted with great concern the unfolding humanitarian crisis and mass starvation in Gaza, with the pope calling the situation "dire" and expressing his "heartfelt appeal for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the full respect of humanitarian law."
