Reports from Beirut, Lebanon broke news lines earlier today. As you know from media stories the explosion that hit Beirut port in the evening today. News around the world bring detailed reports. At the moment at least a hundred people are killed and over 2200 others injured. Hospitals are said to be overwhelmed and many buildings have been destroyed. The blast happened in an area housing highly explosive materials but reports suggest the explosion may have been an accident.
Shortly after the event hit the news the Superior General, Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM has talked with Fr. Ziad Haddad, CM, the Provincial of the Province of Orient. He shared photos and videos showing the scale of the destruction of the Provincial house as well as the neighboring of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Basilica. The explosion site is about one mile from the Vincentian premises.
According to Fr. Haddad, our Confreres are well. But the material destruction, especially of the house, is very extensive. The Daughters of Charity are all well, too.
Fortunately, their Provincial house has been less affected.
The disaster comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon, with an unprecedented economic crisis reigniting old divisions. Let us #Pray4Lebanon and all the people who were hit by the explosion, who mourn their killed and injured siblings and friends. Let us pray together for peace and hope in the country and in the region.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who take recourse in You!
Cover photo: https://gds.it
