Card. Roger Mahony and Archbishop Tomasi, from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, just returned from visiting and meeting with refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Greece.
Archbishop Tomasi explained that as of now, trust is shattered in these countries, after neighbors are betraying neighbors and family members are against other family members.
ARCH. SILVANO MARIA TOMASI
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
'The father of a big family told me, he said, 'How can I trust the people who ate with me and killed my people?' It became a great tragedy for them. Many were killed, others have to move without anything and the neighbors ransacked their houses, instead of defending them. So this now, the trust has been broken. To rebuild the confidence and to try to live together again becomes very difficult for them.â?
While it may be difficult, it is not impossible. Children are offering a bit of light through the darkness, since they do not see racism or party lines, but only another person and potential friend.
CARD. ROGER MAHONY
Archbishop emeritus of Los Angeles
'Except, interesting... it always happens: children are the equalizers. Children know nothing about Sunni, Shia, or Christians. Children go play with each other and children seem to get along just fine, it's us adults who create the problems.â?
Currently there are 76 Catholic organizations in these parts who are trying to help solve these problems. They have helped more than 2.5 million people, but there are still countless others who would benefit from the assistance offered by generous individuals and the Church at large. Most important is caring the innocent children who will one day shape the future of these countries and the world.
MB
AA
-SV
-PR
Up:FV
