May the tragedy of the earthquake induce politicians to strive for peace
By Antonella Palermo and Linda Bordoni
As the death toll from the Turkey-Syria earthquakes nears 44,000, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, with millions of people forced to leave their homes and depend on aid for survival.
The Jesuit community is on the ground in both Turkey and Syria organizing relief and coordinating with humanitarian agencies.
One of the hardest-hit areas in Turkey is Anatolia in the east, with thousands of deaths, collapsed or uninhabitable hospitals, lack of electricity, and broken or difficult connections.
Jesuit Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, Vicar Apostolic of Anatolia, is coordinating aid response to the region. He says Pope Francis’ constant appeals for prayers and support for the quake-struck people are a source of great fortitude.
Bishop Bizzeti recounts that he was in Italy the day the earthquake struck, for meetings with seminarians.
“A providential coincidence”, he said, both because it may have saved his life, and because he feels that he is much more useful here, liaising with his community and the people it serves, coordinating with humanitarian organizations to be able to provide the most needed support and aid in the best possible way.
Bizzeti who is also president of Caritas Turkey is preparing to go back to Anatolia, one of Turkey’s most devastated regions, in the coming days. In an interview with Vatican Radio, he said the situation in the quake-struck regions remains fluid and is constantly updated.
On Friday morning, the bishop was received by Pope Francis, whom he said asked personally to see him to express his closeness and his love for all the affected people without distinction.
An opportunity to stop and reflect in a war-torn world
Expressing gratitude and feeling fortified and supported by the Pope, Bishop Bizzeti noted that the earthquake is a great tragedy; but, he said, “it is also a great opportunity to stop” and reflect on what war-ravaged humanity wants.
"I hope," he said, "that this earthquake will also make all political leaders realize that peace is indispensable and that the only legacy of war is death and destruction.
“That is why, at least as far as we are concerned, we must immediately cease claims and conflicts in order to guarantee life.” Because life, he said, “is the supreme value," the life of men and women is the supreme value, “even for God.”
The Vicar Apostolic goes on to reflect on the many effects of the tragedy, which he said, we will be dealing with for many years from now, “because there is a whole series of tragedies that come with this earthquake like the loss of parents: the greatest of tragedies for the children” who survive.
And he expressed optimism for the incredible network of solidarity that is preventing them from falling through the cracks.
“We trust that there are relatives, people, institutions that will take these little creatures to heart,” he said.
Bishop Bizzeti noted that Turkey is one of the countries that receives perhaps the largest number of refugees in the world: “Afghan refugees, Syrian refugees, Iraqi refugees.”
The local Church is heavily involved in supporting refugees and guaranteeing them dignity. But now, he said, the difficulties are increasing.
“We have deaths among the families of Syrians that we were assisting, so that means also helping people to process these bereavements.”
Solidarity network
The bishop explained that Caritas Turkey, a host of other relief organizations, and the government are all working hard.
“We hope that from all over the world, we will continue to be able to bring aid and provide support, directly and indirectly in various ways,” he said.
The situation in Syria
Regarding the situation in Syria where the Jesuit Refugee Service is very active, the Vicar Apostolic said it “remains largely unexplored territory.”
He noted that the total number of deaths compared to Turkey, is not great, “but that's a country that has more than ten years of war on its shoulders.”
Finally, he launched an appeal not to forget: We know, he said, after a few weeks the media spotlight goes out, and an even greater tragedy for the survivors of the earthquakes would be that of being forgotten.
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