Thursday, January 14, 2010

HAITI EARTHQUAKE DISASTER

Pope Calls for Prayers, Emergency Aid
Dateline 1/13/2010

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, JAN. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is appealing for aid for victims of the earthquake that devastated Haiti and killed the archbishop of the Port-au-Prince Archdiocese.
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Devastating.

Today in his general audience, the Pope also called for prayers for victims of the "dramatic situation currently being experienced in Haiti."

"My thoughts go in particular to the population hit just a few hours ago by a devastating earthquake which has caused serious loss of human life, large numbers of homeless and missing people, and vast material damage," he said.

The Pontiff invited "everyone to join my prayers to the Lord for the victims of this catastrophe and for those who mourn their loss."

He continued: "I give assurances of my spiritual closeness to people who have lost their homes and to everyone who, in various ways, has been affected by this terrible calamity, imploring God to bring them consolation and relief in their suffering.

"I appeal to the generosity of all people so that these our brothers and sisters who are experiencing a moment of need and suffering may not lack our concrete solidarity and the effective support of the international community."

The Holy Father affirmed that the "Catholic Church will not fail to move immediately, through her charitable institutions, to meet the most immediate needs of the population."

This quake, which was followed by 12 aftershocks ranging between a magnitude of 5.0 and 5.9, was the strongest in that region since 1770.

Although the death toll is uncertain, it is estimated that some 3 million people were affected by the disaster. There is concern that the country's impoverished economy will leave the people without adequate emergency services.
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2 comments:

Jules Rivera said...

Truly, let us all pray for those who are devastated. What is most alarming is that, with all those who have experienced this most unfortunate incident, I heard in some news that Televangelist Pat Robertson says the devastating earthquake in Haiti resulted from the country making a "pact to the devil" to gain liberation. - This is so horrible coming from Pat Robertson himself.

WillyJ said...

Jules,
As the Holy Father has said, this massive disaster and suffering calls for prayers and emergency aid. Pat Robertson's comments does not help any at all, and is totally uncalled for, coming from someone who considers himself an evangelist. Horrible - I agree.