During Friday afternoon prayers in the mosques, Catholic churches in Drenthe will ring the bells this afternoon at 1.15 pm. It is a symbolic action intended to provide moral support to the Turkish and Syrian community in Drenthe. “Many of them have relatives there,” says Lammert de Hoop, spokesperson for the Diocese of Groningen Leeuwarden, which covers the entire North.
And the Catholic churches are doing more. Earlier this week, auxiliary bishop Herman Woorts conveyed his condolences on behalf of the Dutch bishops to the Turkish and Syrian communities in the Netherlands.
The Episcopal Fasting Campaign has also started a national fundraising campaign. Donations are collected through collections in the churches, a national giro number and the Vastenactie website. Next weekend, February 11 and 12, door collections will be held for the earthquake victims.
The churches also try to offer help in areas in Syria that are difficult or impossible to access for large international NGOs. “These areas are still accessible via the network of the church,” says De Hoop.