WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed prayers for all victims of the recent earthquake in Chile in a March 1 letter to Bishop Alejandro Goić Karmelić, president of the Chilean bishops' conference.

"I write to assure you of my prayers and those of my brother bishops in the United States for all who have been affected by this tragedy. I assure you also of our prayers for the Church and for our brother bishops of Chile," wrote Cardinal George.

He added that the international humanitarian agency of the U.S. bishops, Catholic Relief Services, "stands ready to be of assistance to you and your Caritas groups as they work to alleviate the suffering caused by the earthquake."

Catholic Relief Services is accepting donations to assist those affected by the earthquake in Chile. For more information, visit: www.crs.org/chile/maule-quake.cfm

The full text of Cardinal George's letter to Bishop Goić is available on the USCCB Web site: www.usccb.org