International SSVDP President on Iraq Crisis

In many countries the Conference members are directly facing the consequences of the war. They need financial means to provide the necessary help every day. They also need everyone’s prayers to turn their environment into DEEDS OF PEACE.Dear Confreres,

The Iraq war shocked all consciences. Thousands of displaced people will be soon added to those who are already there. These days are such that we can follow this tragedy by looking at television where we can see the appalling images broadcast incessantly.

A war of power, of violence and of misery? When we watch and read what’s happening in the world, we can only react with our feeble means. We bow before the evidence like the disciple Thomas.

As on other occasions, the Council General makes an appeal to all Councils and Conferences in order to raise the necessary funds for helping those who are living such difficult moments.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is however well conscious that there exists another war as much as destructive: the one of indifference? A war that silently takes or affects lives. Every day people are stricken by hunger, illnesses, violence, inequalities between people and other kinds of poverty, without anybody talking about it?

The Vincentians struggle against this evil, which, constantly, takes new lives.

In this anniversary year of the foundation of the first Conference of Charity, let us remember how Fréderic and his companions dreamt of a fairer world thanks to Christian commitment. And they went against the indifference of their time.

Dear confreres, dear Presidents of the National Councils and very dear Vincentians, we request your generosity to give to our Society the strength to struggle against all wars, so that Vincentians may carry on their good works with the aim of alleviating the suffering of all those who are forgotten by the news media. The funds you will send will equally serve the birth and development of our Society in countries and regions in difficulty in order to bring the culture of PEACE, which is so necessary today.

It is not essential to add that we must pray to our Good Lord so that the suffering ceases as fast as possible.
I am certain that all Conferences pray for this intention.

With my prayers and my affection.

José Ramon Diaz-Torremocha
International President General of the St. Vincent de Paul Societyhttp://ozanet.org/english/0320031.htm