(CCCB) Following the devastating fires that are still rampant in Fort McMurray, Alberta, the Conference of Catholic Bishops invites us to pray and raise funds for the victims of Fort McMurray and surrounding area.

Pope Francis and the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), have sent a message to the Most Reverend Paul Terrio, Bishop of Saint. Paul. Both texts concern the wildfire disaster in Fort McMurray and surrounding region. The letter from the President of the CCCB includes an invitation for all Bishops to encourage their faithful to pray for those in the city and area of Fort McMurray, as well as to make donations to assist those impacted by this terrible natural disaster.

Personal donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross. In addition, dioceses / eparchies may want to organize parish collections for the Diocese of St. Paul. Bishop Terrio has confirmed that one-half of any contributions will be to assist the Catholic parishes and parishioners of Fort McMurray, while the other half will be forwarded to the Fort McMurray Ministerial Association for ecumenical assistance to those who have lost homes and jobs. These donations for the Diocese are to be forwarded to:

Ms. Janice Atwal
Financial Officer
Diocese of St. Paul
4410 - 51st Avenue
St. Paul, AB T0A 3A2

The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta have both announced they will match individual donations made to the Canadian Red Cross for those affected by the wildfires in and surrounding Fort McMurray.

Link to the message of Pope Francis (PDF)
Link to the letter of Bishop Crosby (PDF)