Emergency Appeal for Lebanon

This weekend at all Masses, the Aid for the Church in Need's Emergency Appeal for Lebanon will be held, to collect donations for those affected by the tragic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon this month.

The explosion in Lebanon has shocked the world– so unexpected, so massive, so destructive. Monsignor Tougic Bou-Hadir, an Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) project partner highlighted the ordeal of people desperately searching for news to identify the dead from badly disfigured bodies being placed in a makeshift mortuary. Beirut’s mainly Christian district of Achrafieh was one of the most devastated by the blast. 

Following the blast, schools, convents and parishes opened up as refuge centres. Mgr Bou-Hadir has told us how teams of Maronite Catholic youth are clearing the debris and delivering urgent aid, with medicine, clothes, blankets and food– all in huge demand. He described how the body of one of the Maronite young people, named Joe, aged 25, was discovered deep in the rubble, holding a cross. Joe had always resisted calls to leave the country, saying that he had to stay in order to 'water the cedar', the national symbol of Lebanon. Mgr Bou-Hadir added, “Now, Joe has watered the cedar with his blood.” 

Both Mgr Bou-Hadir and fellow Beirut ACN project partner Sister Hanan Youssef stressed the toll of the explosion on the people, saying they were totally dependent on international aid as Lebanon’s economic crisis had rendered the country helpless. Sister Hanan told ACN, “I survived 15 years of civil war and yet I could not imagine such a horrible thing happening to our people.” She added, “More than ever, the people are in need of help. We are so grateful for the prayers and support of our dear friends at ACN.” 

Help us answer the call to support these brothers and sisters. 

The list of needs is daunting and they will need to be paid for somehow. There are immediate material and pastoral needs and very soon there will be the need for reconstruction of homes, churches and businesses. We can only pass on what is given to us. Please help us today and over the coming weeks and months. 

This appeal is being sent to parishes, schools, congregations and groups across Australia and New Zealand. We are begging for (1) your prayers for Lebanon and her people, (2) your most generous financial offering and (3) your support in sharing this appeal. 

How to donate

This weekend at all Masses, donation forms will be available in the pews. Please fill out these forms and place them in the designated buckets provided at the main exit of each church. 

If you'd like to donate online at any time, or share a donation link with friends of family, please visit www.aidtochurch.org/lebanon.

Thank you for your generous support and prayers.