August 12, 2004

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Weekend of prayer for those suffering in Sudan

        Archbishop John G. Vlazny is asking Catholics throughout western Oregon to pray on the weekend of Sunday, August 29th for the tens of thousands of people suffering in Sudan. The weekend is to be one of prayer, solidarity and assistance for the people in Sudan, and particularly for those in the western region of Darfur, Sudan.

        Bishop John Ricard, Chairman of the U. S. Bishops’ Committee on International Policy, reported seeing tens of thousands of people huddled under plastic sheets to protect themselves from driving rains and wind. He also reported seeing mothers cradling their dying children. There are an estimated 1.2 million people internally displaced within Darfur, and another 200,000 refugees in Chad. The camps are overcrowded, and the people experience malnutrition, lack of shelter and sanitation and insecurity. There are serious concerns about the ability of international aid groups to provide sufficient food, clean water, medication and other supplies under current conditions. Agencies report that there is an immanent danger of cholera and malaria outbreaks in some of the camps.

        Catholic Relief Services is working with Catholic Church agencies in Sudan responding to the crisis. They need prayer and financial assistance to help meet the many needs of those suffering. Some parishes in the Archdiocese of Portland will take up a special collection on the weekend of August 29th to assist the work of Catholic Relief Services providing food, water and other emergency relief.
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