Anglican Communion News Service

Following the devastating ice storms hitting Canada the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada issued the following letter to the Canadian bishops.

Dear Colleagues,

I am sure that neither you nor I need to tell clergy and parishes to remember in their prayers the parts of the country devastated by the ice storms. I am confident that those prayers are a present reality and will continue into the future - in parishes of the Episcopal Church from which I have just returned we are all remembered in their prayers.

I trust that you received yesterday the information from the Emergencies Desk of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund about the practical support underway in the dioceses most affected - Montreal, Ontario and Ottawa. I hope that this information can be widely disseminated so that people can combine spiritual and material aid.

The encouragement of all at Church House goes out not only to our parishes as they support their people, their neighbours and their communities, but also to all who have been or still are afflicted in this catastrophe.

As ever,

Michael G. Peers Archbishop and Primate

Information on the aid response

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund has been in contact with the Dioceses of Ontario, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec and Fredericton for information with respect to the ice storm in Eastern Canada.

The Diocese of Montreal has set up an Emergency Fund for extraordinary costs mainly incurred by parishes providing emergency relief aid for people in need. Parishes that still have electricity have opened their halls providing shelter and food for those with no electricity in their homes.

Parishes in the Diocese of Ontario have also opened up their halls to provide food for people affected by the storm. Bishop Peter Mason is visiting parishes outside the Kingston area to assess the situation there.

The Primate's Fund has been in contact with the Dioceses of Ottawa, Quebec and Fredericton. The Diocese of Ottawa is encouraging people to work through the Red Cross to avoid any duplication of relief efforts. The Dioceses of Quebec and Fredericton do not anticipate getting involved in relief work as impact of the storm there has been much less severe.

The Primate's Fund continues to receive phone and fax messages from people wanting to donate funds for the relief effort in Eastern Canada. All donations earmarked for the Ice Storm in Eastern Canada will be forwarded to the affected dioceses. Funds can also be sent directly to the Diocese of Montreal Emergency Fund and the Diocese of Ontario Bishop's Discretionary Fund.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the ice storm as they struggle through the second week of this disaster.