A Message from the Rector Major to the People of Turkey and Syria

Originally published on ANS, 02/13/2023

(ANS – Turin) – After the terrible earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria and caused tens of thousands of victims and injuries, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB, expressed all his sorrow and closeness. "We are truly suffering... great is the pain," said the 10th Successor of Don Bosco from Valdocco.

Below is the message shared by the Rector Major:

"Here from Valdocco, I want to extend a very heartfelt greeting, beginning with my Salesian confreres in Istanbul and throughout Syria, in Damascus, and particularly in Aleppo.

We are truly suffering, like so many people of goodwill, as nature has, once again, shown itself with all its strength, and great is the pain, with so many dead... With this, I want to say that we are with all of you, citizens of Turkey and Syria, with all of you dear ones who are close to the Salesian presences in Turkey, in Istanbul, and Syria, to all of you my dear Salesian confreres and Salesian Family in these parts of the world.

We want to express our solidarity with feeling, with words, with prayer, with the faith in the Lord that also accompanies the moment of pain caused by nature, and at the same time, we want to continue to say to you that we want to be in solidarity with you in every sense: we are with you and we want to be a bit of help for others, as thousands and thousands of people do. Because even in this pain there is much solidarity. See you soon, bye!"

The video message can be viewed in the original Italian and Spanish versions on ANSChannel.

To help those affected by the earthquakes, please make a gift through Salesian Missions or the Don Bosco Mission Office.