Through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Pope Francis has, in a first emergency phase, sent a contribution of $100,000 to disaster relief in Indonesia. The Vatican press reported that this sum is intended to be “an immediate expression of the feeling of spiritual closeness and fatherly encouragement from the Holy Father towards the Read more
Father Joy Derry Clement, chairman of the Socio-Economic Commission of Manado Diocese in North Sulawesi, has told ucanews.com that some parishes in Central Sulawesi province have been heavily hit by the 7.4 earthquake and tsunami that hit Sulawesi Island in Indonesia on the afternoon of 28 September. Clement said he had been informed by Father Johanis Salaki from the Read more
The Indonesia country manager for Catholic Relief Services says getting access to the two Sulawesi island cities most affected by Saturday’s earthquake and tsunami is proving very difficult. Yenni Suryani said with the airport damaged, getting access to Palu and Donggala is a huge problem. Responders and local aid groups have drive overland 10-12 hours. That means Read more
More than 6400 people on Santa Cruz Islands 500km east of Honiara are coming to terms with devastation caused by the double disaster of an earthquake and tsunami on February 6. An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 occurred 33km southwest of the Santa Cruz Islands at an ocean depth of 28.7km, generating tsunami waves Read more
Ten people who lost their lives in the February 6 tsunami that struck Santa Cruz in Temotu Province were remembered in a service held at the St Barnabas Cathedral on Wednesday. Hundreds of people and leaders attended the service, which coincided with the half-day public holiday the Government declared for Wednesday. Speaking at the service, Read more
The huge earthquake that struck northeast Japan on March 11, 2011 tested a nation and its faith. On this first anniversary we pause to remember that day, with prayer and reflection on what it means. Without warning, on a cold sunny day, an entire region was shaken by one of five most powerful earthquakes ever recorded; Read more
It was two years on Thursday since the Samoa tsunami. A Church leader in Samoa says the sudden loss of life from the tsunami will always be remembered. The Secretary General of the Samoa Council of Churches, the Reverend Ma’auga Motu, says a ceremony will be held on Sunday to commemorate the dead. The Reverend Read more
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has pledged NZ$10,000 towards Caritas relief efforts in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami. Caritas Director Mike Smith says the pledge is one of solidarity with Japan.‘It also recognises the closer ties and empathy felt between Japan and New Zealand in the wake of recent deadly earthquakes that have afflicted both Read more