For the eighth year running, ACN is providing Christmas parcels for displaced children, including warm clothes, shoes, toys, devotional items and other essentials.

“My two hands are not enough to cover my two children and protect them from the insane bombing around us.”

“When I was there last year I met this family where the nine-year-old son, who has four sisters and a mother, is the man of the house because the husband got killed in the war.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin launches Interfaith Charter dealing with issues such as religious freedom, inter-faith dialogue and the promotion of religious diversity.

Syrian peace delegation visits Ireland as UN says it is “extremely concerned” about the estimated 275,000 civilians trapped in “horrific conditions” in Aleppo.

Two Syrian surgeons will explain how Irish and EU sanctions have caused Syria’s hospitals to degenerate to a pitiable state where scores of women and children die every day due to the lack of commonplace medicines.

“I encourage the faithful to share the ideals of the Caritas International #PeacePossible4Syria campaign and to pray for peace in the Middle East, especially in Syria and the city of Aleppo” – Bishop Crean.

Papal appeal for peace in Syria as military announces “concentrated air strikes” in Aleppo and nearby areas, targeting insurgent-held areas in the surrounding countryside.

“We cannot sit on the fence any more on this issue – we must stand up to this indiscriminate killing of people whether it is Russia or America that is responsible.”

In many cases people are relying on charity for their food, and the Church has stepped in to help feed those left in Aleppo - regardless of their religion.

“Humanitarian access to vulnerable people is absolutely vital, there must be safe, unrestricted passage of aid to all parts of Syria.”

Carmelite Sisters remain on in Aleppo to help families facing daily bombardment even though their convent is at the centre of ongoing conflict.

Catholic bishops of Aleppo appeal to those responsible to stop for the “love of God” and “the cry of blood of children and martyrs”.

Chaldean Catholic Bishop Antoine Audo of the Syrian city of Aleppo to speak at one of Rome's most famed tourist attractions about the plight of Christians.

Christians pray that God stirs the "consciences of the leaders of powerful nations to work for the peace Syrians long for".

Joint declaration pleads on behalf of world's persecuted Christians especially in the Middle East where families, villages and cities are being exterminated.

“The Custody [of the Holy Land] does not forget that other religious are still missing in Syria and invites everyone to continue praying for peace.”

“The bombings are not coming to an end, on the contrary, they are increasing significantly both during the day and at night” - Fr Ibrahim in Aleppo.

“At this very moment, bombs are raining down on the residential neighbourhoods of the city. There may be as many as 60 dead and 300 wounded."

On Syria and Iraq Pontiff appeals, “We need to find a solution, which is never a violent one, because violence only creates new wounds”.

Militants send message of “violence and intolerance” by destroying symbol of Christianity and encouraging Syria's Christians to flee their homeland: Bishop Audo.

Franciscan Order lost contact with Fr Dhiya Aziz, parish priest at Yacoubieh, during the afternoon of 4 July and they believe he was taken by militants.

The conflict in Syria could come to an end much more quickly if the US would pressure its allies to stop aiding extremist groups: Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo.

Hope of their release remains, although the passing of every week and month “makes this more difficult” Nuncio in Syria states.

“Aleppo has been cut off for 16 days, with no telecommunications, Internet or electricity... with mortar shells hitting the city every day.”

Some 11.4 million people forced from their homes by the conflict which has resulted in more than 220,000 deaths.

Since 15 March 2011, 210,000 people have been killed in the war in Syria, one million injured, and more than 4 million people have fled the country.

83% of lights in Syria extinguished since 2011 in "worst humanitarian crisis the world has seen in a generation" according to Trócaire.

Chair of Trócaire, Bishop William Crean, expresses “grave concern” for the 1.7 million Syrian refugees dependent on World Food Programme voucher scheme.

President of Caritas Syria, Bishop Antoine Audo SJ, describes conditions in Aleppo, ravaged by four years of conflict.