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 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� 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.
鈥淎 providential coincidence鈥�, 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鈥檚 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 杏MAP导航 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 杏MAP导航, Bishop Bizzeti noted that the earthquake is a great tragedy; but, he said, 鈥渋t is also a great opportunity to stop鈥� 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.
鈥淭hat is why, at least as far as we are concerned, we must immediately cease claims and conflicts in order to guarantee life.鈥� Because life, he said, 鈥渋s the supreme value," the life of men and women is the supreme value, 鈥渆ven for God.鈥�
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, 鈥渂ecause there is a whole series of tragedies that come with this earthquake like the loss of parents: the greatest of tragedies for the children鈥� who survive.
And he expressed optimism for the incredible network of solidarity that is preventing them from falling through the cracks.
鈥淲e trust that there are relatives, people, institutions that will take these little creatures to heart,鈥� he said.
Bishop Bizzeti noted that Turkey is one of the countries that receives perhaps the largest number of refugees in the world: 鈥淎fghan refugees, Syrian refugees, Iraqi refugees.鈥�
The local Church is heavily involved in supporting refugees and guaranteeing them dignity. But now, he said, the difficulties are increasing.
鈥淲e have deaths among the families of Syrians that we were assisting, so that means also helping people to process these bereavements.鈥�
Solidarity network
The bishop explained that Caritas Turkey, a host of other relief organizations, and the government are all working hard.
鈥淲e 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,鈥� he said.
The situation in Syria
Regarding the situation in Syria where the Jesuit Refugee Service is very active, the Vicar Apostolic said it 鈥渞emains largely unexplored territory.鈥�
He noted that the total number of deaths compared to Turkey, is not great, 鈥渂ut that's a country that has more than ten years of war on its shoulders.鈥�
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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