President of the Episcopate: September 5th – Day of Solidarity with Afghans

Fot. Pomoc Kościołowi w Potrzebie

On Sunday, September 5th, in the Church in Poland there will be a “Day of Solidarity with Afghans.” Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, appealed to the pastors and the faithful of the Catholic Church in Poland for prayer and material help for the Afghans.

On August 25th, the bishops gathered at Jasna Góra for the Diocesan Bishops’ Council unanimously supported the idea of a nationwide campaign for Afghans suffering from the change of government in their country. Accordingly, the President of the Polish Episcopate declared a “Day of Solidarity with Afghans.”

“Listening to the voice of Pope Francis, who called on all people of good will to ‘pray to the God of peace, so that the clash of arms may fall silent, and solutions may be found at the table of dialogue,’ I appeal to the pastors and the faithful of the Church in Poland for prayer and material assistance for the suffering people of Afghanistan,” Archbishop Gądecki wrote in a special appeal.

He asked that on Sunday, September 5th, in every church and chapel in Poland, during the prayer of the faithful, we ask God for peace in Afghanistan and pray for the Afghans, and that after the Holy Masses a collection be organized for their benefit. The funds raised will go to support Caritas’ long-term work for migrants and refugees, both in Poland and abroad.

As the Episcopal President informed, in cooperation with Caritas in Pakistan, a three-month humanitarian intervention of immediate assistance to about 1500 families will be launched. Archbishop Gądecki also stressed that Migrant and Refugee Centers run by Caritas Polska and diocesan Caritas are already operating in Poland. “Caritas Polska will launch a nationwide program to support refugees in our homeland—reaching from spiritual, psychological, and social assistance, to language, legal, and medical assistance, as well as career counseling, intercultural support, and volunteer support in parishes and media communication,” we read in the appeal.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

APPEAL
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE
FOR A DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH AFGHANS

For several weeks now, we have been witnesses of dramatic events in Afghanistan connected with the change of government.
Many thousands of Afghans are saving their lives and health by fleeing the country, seeking help from the international community.
Listening to the voice of Pope Francis, who called on all people of good will to “pray to the God of peace, so that the clash of arms may fall silent, and solutions may be found at the table of dialogue,” I appeal to the pastors and the faithful of the Church in Poland for prayer and material assistance for the suffering people of Afghanistan.

In view of the above, I proclaim Sunday, September 5th a “Day of Solidarity with the Afghans.” I thank all the bishops who, during the Diocesan Bishops’ Council held at Jasna Góra on August 25th, unanimously supported the idea of a nationwide collection for this purpose.

I ask that, on Sunday September5th, in every church and chapel in Poland, during the prayer of the faithful, we ask God for peace in Afghanistan and pray for the Afghans, and that after the Holy Masses a collection be organized for their benefit.

The funds raised will be used to support Caritas’ long-term work with migrants and refugees, both in Poland and abroad. In partnership with Caritas in Pakistan, the country with the largest group of refugees from Afghanistan, a three-month humanitarian intervention of immediate assistance to some 1,500 families will begin.

Migrant and Refugee Centers run by Caritas Poland and diocesan Caritas are already operating in Poland. Caritas Polska will launch a nationwide program to support refugees in our homeland—reaching from spiritual, psychological, and social assistance, to language, legal, and medical assistance, as well as career counseling, intercultural support, and volunteer support in parishes and media communication.

I thank in advance all the faithful for their positive response to my appeal, trusting that once again Poles will show their noble hearts.

✠ Stanisław Gądecki
Archbishop Metropolitan of Poznan
President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Vice-President of the Council of the Conferences of European Bishops (CCEE)

Warsaw, 27 August 2021