“I ask that Sunday next July 25th be a day dedicated in the Church in Poland to solidarity with the victims of floods and storms in Europe,” wrote the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki, in the Call for a day of solidarity with the victims of the storms in Poland, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The Episcopate’s President stressed that the Church in Poland wants to support those affected by the disaster with prayer and sacrifice. “Let us implore of God hope for those who have suffered and a spirit of solidarity, care, and co-responsibility for all people of good can help the victims,” he wrote.

“I ask that on this day, at the Holy Masses, especially during the prayer of the faithful, there be prayers for the victims, and that, after Mass, funds be collected which Caritas Poland will transmit to them,” we read in the Call.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

We are publishing the full text of the Call:

CALL
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE
FOR A DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE VICTIMS OF THE STORMS
IN POLAND, GERMANY, BELGIUM, AND THE NETHERLANDS

(To be read in chapels and churches on Sunday, July 18th)

In recent days, we have witnessed many human dramas caused by violent storms and floods, both in our homeland and in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Many families have lost all their belongings, and the media are reporting deaths and missing persons, especially in Germany.

As the Church in Poland, we want to support those affected with our prayers and offerings. Let us implore of God hope for those who have suffered and a spirit of solidarity, care, and co-responsibility for all people of good can help the victims.

I ask that Sunday next July 25th be a day dedicated in the Church in Poland to solidarity with the victims of floods and storms in Europe. I ask that on this day, at the Holy Masses, especially during the prayer of the faithful, there be prayers for the victims, and that, after Mass, funds be collected which Caritas Poland will transmit to them.

At the same time, I convey to the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium the expression of our support and the assurance of the spiritual closeness of the Church in Poland.

I give my pastoral blessing to all the faithful.

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

Warsaw, 16 July 2021