Relief agency needs us

Catholic Relief Services -- the U.S. Bishops' overseas aid agency -- needs your help to provide food, medicine and shelter to victims of war in Iraq.

Catholic Relief Services is undertaking this effort with Caritas Internationalis, an international confederation of Catholic charitable groups. To provide the needed aid they must raise $8.3 million.

We need to support these relief efforts both because of our Christianity and a practical need to befriend the Iraqi people and make them an ally.

Catholic Relief Services has worked in Iraq for many years. Last year, for example, CRS and Caritas Iraq assisted more than 20,200 children and 11,900 pregnant and lactating mothers with a supplemental feeding program. It also has helped rehabilitate water systems for 175,000 people.

At first, CRS will help operate relief programs, and then, eventually, switch to reconstruction projects.

CRS and the people of Iraq need our help. Donations can be sent to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090 or by phone, 1-800-736-3467.