Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada emphasised at the gala of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) on November 7 that supporting Christians in the Middle East requires “greater solidarity among all Churches,” given the ongoing conflicts that keep their situation fragile.
He added that such gatherings are not only fundraising events but also opportunities to raise awareness of the real conditions in which Middle Eastern Christians live.
At the event, the Bishop of Canada was accompanied by Fr. Petruță Busuioc, eparchial vicar, Protosyncellus Maxim Morariu, eparchial inspector, and Deacon Valentin Boțu from the Diocesan Cathedral of Saint George and Saints Epictetus and Astion in Saint-Hubert.
A testimony of love and compassion
The gala took place at the St. Elias Banquet Centre in Ottawa. The event brought together ecclesiastical, cultural, and social figures from Canada and abroad and was moderated by Adriana Bara, national director of CNEWA Canada, who thanked those supporting the gala and highlighted the role of donors in the organisation’s mission.
“Your generosity allows the CNEWA Canada team to continue serving those in need,” she said, adding that the support offered is a true testimony of love and compassion.
During the evening, Archbishop Marcel Damphouse, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, delivered a message, while Apostolic Nuncio Ivan Jurkovič read the message addressed by Pope Leon XIV to the participants.
Michael Constantin, national director for Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt, and Joseph Hazboun, director of CNEWA’s mission in Jerusalem, presented the current situation of Christian communities in the Middle East.
A presentation on CNEWA’s work in Ukraine was also given, and the Faith and Culture Award was presented to Stan and Marge Owerko.
CNEWA
The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) is an international charitable organisation founded in 1926 by Pope Pius XI and currently guided by Pope Leon XIV.
For nearly a century, CNEWA has supported vulnerable communities in the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe, working with Churches to identify local needs and offer practical solutions.
Through programs ranging from clerical training and children’s education to humanitarian aid for refugees and assistance for victims of conflict, the organisation remains a vital support for thousands affected by poverty and war.
Photo: CNEWA Canada / Anna-Theresa Ammoun
