The bishops of Belgium have made a strong appeal for solidarity to the Catholics of the country following the recent natural disasters that have struck the Central American region of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala and the earthquake in Pakistan. The bishops call for charity to be shown, and also prayers to be offered, for the thousands of people bereaved and made homeless by these disasters. In a message issued in recent days the bishops appeal to the Catholic community “to react with a concrete gesture of solidarity to this immense suffering”. In most Belgian dioceses the bishops have already placed at the disposal of Caritas International funds to be used for the relief of such natural disasters. Prayer vigils are also being promoted in various parishes and local churches.
