CATH NEWS REPORT-
Screenshot from an aerial video footage uploaded to YouTube by Russia Today
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Catholic Mission Australia has asked "every Catholic in Australia join us in showing our overwhelming prayer and support" for the people of Christchurch, where at least 65 people are confirmed deead after yesterday's earthquake, reports Independent Catholic News.
Within a couple of hours of the quake, an appeal went out from New Zealand Catholic Mission National Director, Fr Paul Shannahan sm.CMA's National Director, Martin Teulan, said: "We're shocked and upset at the terrible death and destruction."
"A violent earthquake suddenly shook the South Island city of Christchurch just before 1 pm today. It measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. The Central business area saw many buildings partly or wholly collapsing especially the older ones," he wrote.
"Sixty five deaths have been reported so far, as people are freed from under rubble and collapsed shop verandas.
"The two well known Anglican and Catholic cathedrals have seen large sections fall to the ground and they may be beyond repair.
"The biggest 'damage' is on people. Many were traumatised in the 7.1 quake last September but this one is worse in that it was in the middle of a working and school day. It hit with such vigour. It shook whole building violently. Hundreds have sustained injuries but shock and fear is scaring them even more. Thousands are trying to get home and many more are leaving the city to stay elsewhere."
Fr Shannahan said a full-scale emergency has been declared, with army personnel and civil defence personnel enlisted to assist police and fire brigades. The full extent of the damage "is hard to gauge at this early stage".
Prayers can be emailed to prayers@catholicmission.org.au, Catholic Mission Australia's Mr Teulan said in a media release.
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