Rome: Marist Brothers open doors to Syrian refugees

Brother Emili Turú

The general house of the Marist Brothers is offering to take in Syrian refugees after the Pope issued a strong appeal to the entire European Church to take in migrant families during his Angelus prayer recently.

"Both members of the general council and myself give our full commitment to this wonderful initiative, offering the general house immediately to welcome a family," said superior general Brother Emili Turú, in an appeal issued on 8 September to Brothers Provincial of Europe to do the same.

In an interview with the general house press office he said he is "immediately going to get in touch with Caritas and see how we can coordinate... It's a concrete way to give a response to this emergency that there is in Europe."

Br Emil recalled the time when the general house also took in refugees, from Eritrea, when he was studying in Rome in the 1980s.

"In this emergency now we must look at which way can we welcome them and make them feel at home," he affirmed. "We need to see how we can coordinate and what families need to be attended."

Br Emil wrote to the Marist family: "I encourage you, dear brothers, for all of us to be on the side of Pope Francis, supporting his initiative and making our church a place of welcome, kindness and mercy...I'm sure love's creativity will stimulate you to find the best ways to provide the most appropriate responses in each case."

Br Emili was in Lebanon from August 31 - September 4 to meet with 'Blue Marists' from Syria and two brothers involved in the 'Fratelli Project' - a newly launched project aimed at integrating Syrian children in Lebanese schools and getting them off the streets.