The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil has launched a campaign to encourage solidarity with the people of Lebanon in the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah which has devastated the country.

The secretary general of the NCBB, Bishop Odilio Pedro Scherer, and the executive director of Caritas Brazil, Jose Magalhães de Sousa, announced the launching of the campaign in the Brazilian capital.  Brazil boasts of the largest Lebanese community in the world.  “The Church and Caritas are urging Brazilians to respond to this call.  There are thousands of victims and they must be helped,” Bishop Scherer said.

Caritas has produced 30-second television and radio spots providing the public information on how to participate in the effort.  The campaign will run through November 30th.

According to Brazil’s Foreign Minister, at least seven Brazilians—including three children—were killed during the fighting in Beirut.  Some 3,000 Brazilians of Lebanese origin living in Beirut were evacuated during the conflict.

Bishop Sherer took the opportunity to express his own rejection of war and of all forms of violence as a means of solving conflicts, and he exhorted Brazilians to take part in the solidarity campaign.