16 February 2023.

To the Clergy and People of the Diocese in Europe

Very soon we will embark on our Lenten journey once again. These are extraordinary times,
with war continuing in Ukraine (the focus of our 2022 Appeal), and with unprecedented
suffering in South East Türkiye and North West Syria as a result of recent earthquakes. The
people of our diocese have been generous in responding to these huge needs, and certainly the
people of Ukraine and Türkiye/Syria are very much in our prayers.

It has been the tradition for the Bishop’s Lent Appeal to focus on a particular need within our
diocesan family. We have pockets within the diocese where the reality is much more like the
developing world than what is experienced in the comparatively rich north. One such area of
the diocese is Morocco.

Many have now settled in the region of the capital, Rabat, where we have not had a permanent
Church presence. Thanks to the vision of past chaplains in Casablanca and the dedication of a
core of supporters in Rabat, a new congregation is being built up. This year’s Bishop’s Lent
Appeal is to support this congregation in the next crucial phase of its development.