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Dear friends and companions of Malteser International,
At Christmas, the peace of God feels closer to many people than perhaps at any other time of the year. Peace on earth, however, has once again become very distant this year. The consequences of long running conflicts for people all over the world was a dominant theme of 2023: The situation of people in Syria, already dire after 12 years of civil war, was worsened by the earthquakes in February. Armed conflicts between the rebels and militia in the DR Congo again forced millions of people to flee. In almost incomprehensible speed, the escalation of the Middle East conflict in October led to a humanitarian disaster of the highest level. The civilian population of the Ukraine is poised for the second cold, hard war winter. Worldwide more than 110 million people are on the run, half of them women and girls.
For many, the rifts in the world between war and peace, hunger and abundance, suffering and joy are especially glaring in these days before Christmas, and weigh heavy on our souls. How can we celebrate, share gifts and be joyous amid all the suffering we witness in the world every day? Maybe the words of wisdom on this year’s Malteser International Christmas greetings can help you bridge that gap. Because we know that by giving love and charity, we can shine a light of holy hope for people in need and thus come closer to God in our efforts – and is that not the perfect Christmas gift?
I hope that you can spend this Christmas with peace in your hearts. Thank you for supporting us in our holy mission to “serve the sick and the poor”. Together we can work towards sealing the rifts in the world.
In the name of all of us here at MI, I wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.
Yours sincerely,
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Clemens Graf von Mirbach-Harff
Secretary General
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| PS: Are you still looking for a meaningful present? See our donation options below and make your beloved ones a memorable gift!
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Account number: 1201200012
IBAN: DE103 70601201201200012 | BIC: GENODED1PA7 | Pax Bank Cologne
Reference: “Malteser International”
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Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V.
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