Pope Francis Sends Condolences and Bishops Ask for Support after Floods Cause Over 100 Deaths and Great Damage in Brazil
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Telegram of condolences for the over 100 victims of the landslides and of the floods caused by the heavy rains that recently hit the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sent - in the name of the Holy Father Francis - by the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop Gregório Paixão Neto, OSB, Bishop of Petrópolis:
The Holy Father, taking aware with deep sorrow of the tragic consequences of the landslide in that city, entrusting to the bishop to transmit to the families of the victims his condolences and their participation in the grief of all the grieving or disposed of their assets. asking to God the Father of eternal mercy for the dead, comfort for the stressed whom he wishes a prompt restoration and serenity and consolation of Christian hope for all one affected by the painful order, send to how many are in suffering and to how many are looking to relieve him propitiating apostolic blessing
Agenzia Fides reports that, "We ask every Catholic Christian, men and women of good will, to share the pain of those who have lost what little they had, victims of the climate tragedy. We especially support the bereaved and homeless families. Our Church is already mobilizing to help. Let's all go together". This is the appeal launched by the Presidency of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) after the torrential rains that fell on Petropolis, a tourist town in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, killing dozens and homeless, according to a still provisional toll.
The message from the Presidency of the CNBB, sent to Fides, underlines that the consternation aroused by the incident "touches our Christian faith, urging us to act together" and invites us to be in communion with the bishop and the beloved people of God of the diocese of Petrópolis in prayer and action: "We are all called to bear witness to our faith by exercising solidarity". The initiatives in support of the victims are "a Christian commitment and an indispensable task for those in positions of power". Petropolis urgently calls for help!" the Bishops exhort.
The Presidency of the Leste 1 - CNBB Region also expresses its solidarity with all the inhabitants of Petropolis who suffered the impacts of the strong storm that hit the city, leaving a trail of destruction and death.
"We ask the Catholic Church present in the State of Rio de Janeiro to join in prayer, so that these affected brothers and sisters may find comfort in the midst of the pain of the loss of their relatives, family and friends". They therefore invite people to start a great chain of solidarity in our churches by sending donations to the Diocese of Petrópolis. All funds collected will be used for emergency actions and to help affected families.
Update: The latest report from Brazil says the death toll has risen to 110 with a number of missing people. There are also eight children among the dead. Torrential rain, which fell on the region on the night of Tuesday 15 as it had not happened for at least 90 years, caused 269 landslides, numerous floods, destroyed dozens of houses, caused walls and trees to fall. It is feared that many people may still find themselves trapped under rubble or in the mud. (SL) (Edited from Source: Agenzia Fides, 17/2/2022)
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