MONTREAL, June 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is pleased to join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the signatories of the interfaith appeal from Canada's Faith Communities in response to the Famine Crisis in Africa and Yemen.
"Our joint appeal is a unified cry from the heart, with one voice and one message" declared the CCCB on the interfaith call upon document. "Ours is the insistent call for peace and the need to protect the vulnerable. The protection and promotion of human dignity are foundational elements of all our faith communities. Willful indifference towards violations against human dignity is always wrong, at all times and in all places."
"As an international solidarity organization, Development and Peace has been active for many years in the countries affected by this famine and humanitarian crisis. We are in a position to respond effectively by supporting our local partners already working with the most vulnerable populations" declared earlier today Serge Langlois, Executive Director at Development and Peace - Caritas Canada.
This complex crisis stems from a number of armed conflicts in the affected regions in which this famine is but one of the devastating consequences. In these circumstances, women and children are always particularly vulnerable and represent the vast majority of victims in the food crisis taking place in South Soudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen. "We must remember that to build peace and reduce the number of armed conflicts in the region and elsewhere, the participation of women is vital" added Serge Langlois.
Development and Peace calls upon Canadian Catholics and all Canadian citizens to support these millions of men, women and children by praying, giving and speaking out about the situation:
Read the interfaith appeal released by the Canadian Conference of Catholic bishops: Pray, Give and Speak Out.
Give generously to Development and Peace for the Famine Relief Fund before June 30, 2017, and your donation will be matched:
About Development and Peace
Development and Peace is one of the most important international development organizations in Canada. It was founded in 1967 by the Canadian Catholic Bishops as a means of inspiring Canadians to act in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in the Global South suffering from the injustice of poverty. Over the past 50 years, Development and Peace has invested $600 million in more than 15,000 projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Development and Peace is a strong and diverse movement that brings together Canadians from all over the country working for justice to enable that the poorest people to live with respect and dignity. Development and Peace is also Caritas Canada, official member of the Caritas Internationalis confederation, an international network of more than 160 Catholic development organizations.
SOURCE Development and Peace
Gay Decker, Communications Officer, Development and Peace, [email protected], 514 793-8537
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