As you know, yesterday, August 4th at 6:00 PM (Lebanon Time), the city of Beirut was shaken by a devastating explosion, now referred to as "BeiruShima," recalling the nuclear bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August 1945. This couldn't have happened at a worse time for Lebanon, when the country is already suffering from the effects of the Corona virus pandemic and is on the verge of a failed state and an economic collapse.
The seismological activity incurred during the blast yesterday was equivalent to a 4.5 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale. The latest reports indicate that the source of the blast may have come from a warehouse containing ammonium nitrate from an impounded cargo ship.
Beirut's 5 major hospitals were severely hit. They have suffered major damage and have no electricity. Beirut's seaport and the downtown center of the capital city have been devastated. Our Catholic Maronite Diocese is working now to collect funds to support the Catholic and Christian families in Lebanon who are struggling as a result of these recent events. Please see the letter from our Maronite Bishops below.
If you would like to support this effort, please write a check to "Our Lady of Lebanon" with the memo "Lebanon." This way we can keep a record for your tax deduction at the Church. We will send one check to the Diocese on behalf of our parish that will go to the Catholic Charities in Lebanon under the direction of the Cardinal. We pray that God will help the people of Beirut and the people of Lebanon to overcome this crisis.