Archbishop of Izmir, Monsignor Martin Kmetec, issued a message calling for prayers against the fire and natural disasters that have been going on for 10 days in Turkey. Archbishop Kmetec urged all to consider the possibility of offering a tangible sign of solidarity to those affected by the fire disaster, and urged the Episcopal congregation to pray every day at 18:00 as everyone sees fit.
Message from Monsignor Martin Kmetec, Archbishop of Izmir:
“Dear brothers in Izmir,
The very sad news of the fire that has shaken Turkey deeply for the past few days, keeps coming. There is the place of our Archdiocese located at the beginning of the places affected by the fire. As you know, the fire caused death of some people and it continues to harm nature, economic structures and daily life.
I believe that our Christian community will not be indifferent to the suffering of the people living in this country where we live and where we are called as a sign of the presence of Christ Jesus, who always appears as God.
I invite you to persistently pray to the Lord for those who will make the concrete decision to open the gates of Heaven to the dead, to support those who suffer, to enlighten those who respond to the fire and to heal the wounds of those injured in the fire. I recommend that our episcopal congregation pray daily at 6:00 p.m. as everyone sees fit. Once again, following the example of the early Christians, we will raise our prayers continuously to the Lord with one spirit.
I encourage you to consider the possibility of offering a sign of solidarity to those who are in a difficult situation due to the fire disaster. We can do this in many ways, even with some big or small renunciations in our daily lives. The Lord, who does not forget even a glass of water given in his name, will be very pleased with the good work done. I greet you brotherly, through the blessing of the Mother of God, the Lord, and the Comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
Martin Kmetec
