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FROM THE FIELD

Canadian Archbishop gives first-hand account of most recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict
21 Jan 2009 16:32:00 GMT
 Source: Caritas - Canada (Development and Peace)
Eleonore Fournier-Tombs

Website: Website: http://www.devp.org

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Montreal, January 21, 2009 - Most Reverend James Weisgerber, Archbishop of Winnipeg and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has just returned from a trip to the West Bank with other Bishops from Europe and North America. This year's annual visit took place from January 6 to 16, in the midst of the Israeli incursion into Gaza.

"All of Gaza is destroyed", says Archbishop Weisgerber. "We met with people who were beside themselves with fear and worry about the situation."

"Development and Peace, through Caritas, has an excellent record of assistance in the region and it's imperative to help them", he adds.

Development and Peace has just sent $ 150,000 to its partner Caritas Jerusalem to distribute blankets, medical supplies and food to thousands of victims of the latest violence in Gaza.

"While both Israel and Hamas have adopted a ceasefire, peace is precarious", warns Gilio Brunelli, Director of International Programs at Development and Peace.

"It's important that we carry on our commitment to the people of Gaza", adds Brunelli. "Our partner Caritas Jerusalem is struggling to help Palestinians who have lost their families, their homes and their belongings and who are suffering psychological trauma. We ask that the Canadian public continue to support us as we provide the victims with relief and advocate for peace on their behalf."

"As Canadians, agrees Archbishop Weisgerber, it is essential that we pressure our government to play a stronger role in the peace process and that we support international aid."

Contributions can be made by telephone (1 888 664-3387), online at www.devp.org, or by cheque (marked "Emergency: Gaza") sent to the following address:

Development and Peace 1425, René-Lévesque Blvd. West, 3rd floor Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1T7

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Eleonore Fournier-Tombs Agente de Communications/Communications Officer Développement et Paix/Development and Peace (514) 257-8711 poste 307 efournier@devp.org


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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