Two Irish parishes joined forces to raise money for blast-stricken Beirut. The parishes of Headford and Athenry in the Archdiocese of Tuam teamed up to raise funds for the many thousands who were left homeless and in need of basic supplies.
Fr Raymond Flaherty of Headford parish, and Fr Jerald David of Athenry parish helmed the initiative, both priests having kept a close eye on the unfolding situation in Beirut. In a statement issued, Fr Raymond expressed their affinity for Lebanon and its people after a 2019 pilgrimage to the shrine of St Charbel.
Making reference to the close ties the people of Ireland have always had with Lebanon because of the Irish UN peacekeeping efforts, Fr Raymond said that following special Masses offered in both parishes for the people of Lebanon, they encouraged their parishioners to donate generously in an attempt to help those directly affected by the “devastating blast”.
Both priests were “extremely surprised” by the generosity of their parishioners, given the current difficulties brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Major factors
Fr Flaherty said: “I think that one of the major factors in the great response by the people in donating so generously was the fact that the funds were going directly to the people on the ground.”
The amount of €18,000 was raised between the two parishes, and this was sent directly to the Beirut Archbishop for the Maronites, Msgr Boulos Abdul-Sater, and to a personal friend of both priests’, Lebanese TV presenter Rania Charbel, who is based in Beirut.
Letter
In a letter of thanks to the priests, Archbishop Abdul-Sater said: “The contribution you made in the reconstruction efforts is very much appreciated. The seven thousand euros that you sent are used in fixing the doors and windows of damaged houses which will enable the people of Beirut to return to their homes before rain.”
He went on to explain the situation, saying: “The area hit by the explosion is populated mostly by middle and poor class Christians. Your contribution will help them stay in the capital and will safeguard the true face of Beirut as a society where religious and social diversity is respected.”