By Salvatore Cernuzio
Pope Leo has expressed his solidarity with the people of Colombia, devastated by the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the western part of the country. His closeness was conveyed in his remarks during Wednesday’s General Audience, held on Aug 12, when he renewed his condolences and prayers for the victims, rescue workers and the entire Colombian people.
The Pope’s solidarity has also taken concrete form through an initial emergency financial contribution sent by the Pope through the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. The funds are intended for dioceses affected by the earthquake, and follow on from discussions between the Prefect of the Dicastery, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, the Apostolic Nunciature, and the local Bishops’ Conference.
The Pope’s appeal
Yesterday, as Civil Protection teams and other emergency services searched through the rubble of collapsed buildings and churches and issued initial estimates of the death toll — more than 200, according to the latest figures — the Pope sent a telegram expressing his sorrow and solidarity with the entire country.
Today, at the General Audience, the Pope again expressed his “solidarity” with “our brothers and sisters in Colombia who have suffered the consequences of the recent earthquake, which has caused many deaths and injuries, as well as extensive material damage.”
While praying to the Lord “for the eternal repose of the deceased,” Leo also assured his listerns of his prayers for the victims and their families, and “all those who have mobilized in rescue and assistance operations.”
Emergency aid
As he did for Venezuela, which was also struck by a powerful earthquake in June, the Pope immediately sent an initial financial contribution to Colombia as a concrete sign of solidarity in this time of emergency.
The sum of €100,000 was sent directly to the National Secretariat for Social Pastoral Care – Caritas Colombia, which serves as the Church’s centralized coordination center for the collection and distribution of aid. The organization will ensure that the assistance reaches the dioceses affected by the earthquake.
The amount was agreed upon with the recipients and represents a first contribution intended to address the most immediate needs. Further concrete assistance will follow as needs are identified and promptly communicated to the Dicastery.
Alms and the ‘family of God’
Indeed, dialogue begun in the first hours after the disaster continues between Apostolic Almoner Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín and the president of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Francisco Javier Múnera Correa, who has briefed him on the situation in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, a report is being prepared to assess the most urgent needs, again at the initiative of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. “The Church is the family of God,” the Prefect said, “a Church attentive to suffering and need, responding with fraternity and effectiveness.” – Vatican News
