Lent: Filipino Church helping victims of natural disasters
Manila (AsiaNews) - With this year's theme "Stewardship is discipleship," the Archdiocese of Manila launched a fund raising program for the period of Lent to be used as emergency funds for crises and calamities that affect the country. Mgr Luis Antonio Tagle made the announcement in a pastoral letter for Alay Kapwa (Offering for neighbours) 2012 in which he calls on the faithful to help evangelisation and charity work during Lent. Additional funds will be raised on Sundays during this period of fasting and repentance that began on 26 February until 1 April.
Offerings will go for the victims of last December's typhoon Washi in Cagayan de Oro archdiocese and Iligan diocese both in Mindanao, southern Philippines, and victims of flooding in northern Philippine Luzon cities and towns during typhoon Ketsana in 2009.
On 17 December, typhoon Washi swept southern Philippines, leaving more than 1,000 people dead, with many more still missing. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture amounted to at least 1.45 billion pesos (US$ 34 million).
At the start of Lent, Caritas Manila sent 6 million pesos in funds and three truckloads of food and other relief goods to the disaster area.
In his homily in the thanksgiving Mass marking the 30th anniversary of his priestly ordination on 27 February, Archbishop Tagle echoed his appeal for donations to victims of calamities through Alay Kapwa.
He reminded worshippers that while almsgiving is connected to the spirit of Lent, they must practice charity, responsibility for and concern towards their neighbours at all times because "this defines who we are as followers of Christ." Meanwhile, affected churches face the challenge "to build real communities of hope".
In Cagayan de Oro archdiocese, the local archbishop, Mgr Antonio Ledesma, told AsiaNews that in the first four weeks up to 6,000 families were evacuated and provided with aid.
Now, he said, the goal is to provide permanent housing for refugees. "Cagayan de Oro City government had provided nine hectares for permanent housing, which is good for about 900-1,000 homes. Another five hectares will come from Xavier University, which is good for another 500 houses." However, "There is still need for more land for another 8,500 houses to meet the target," the prelate added.
He said he backed the government's "no-return policy" for the devastated areas. settling the emergency situation is the archdiocese's priority. However, he criticised the city administration, especially the mayor, for their inaction.
Residents accuse the mayor of failing to prepare the people and city after he had been warned by the national government of impending disaster.
.png)
