Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio this week called for “prayer and action” as Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean region.
Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), urged Catholics, in a declaration on October 29, to pray and support the people and communities affected by the Category 5 storm.
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“Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history, has made landfall in Jamaica, impacted Haiti, and caused the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in Cuba,” Broglio wrote.
With sustained winds of nearly 300 kilometers per hour, Hurricane Melissa has devastated the region, causing destruction and claiming up to 50 lives since it made landfall on October 28.
“The Church accompanies, with prayer and action, all people who suffer,” Broglio wrote. “I urge Catholics and all people of good will to join me in praying for the safety and protection of everyone, especially first responders, in these devastated areas.”
As the hurricane’s effects spread, “families face serious risk of flooding, landslides, displacement, and infrastructure damage, with few resources to respond,” Broglio wrote.
“Our brothers and sisters in small island nations like Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti are the most vulnerable to the impact of such strong storms, often intensified by global warming.”
Jamaica has been the most affected. While the hurricane did not make direct landfall in Haiti, the storm produced heavy rains that caused flash flooding and landslides in many areas, as well as blocking important national routes.
“Let us unite in solidarity by supporting the efforts of organizations already on the ground, such as Cáritas Haiti, Cáritas Cuba and Cáritas Antillas, as well as Catholic Relief Services (CRS), who are providing direct essential services and accompaniment to those in need,” Broglio wrote.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called on Catholics and people of good will to support “the urgent and ongoing relief efforts and long-term recovery work of CRS.”
The agency is providing “vital support, including emergency shelter, clean water and essential supplies, to the most vulnerable families,” CRS reported.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA
Tessa Gervasini
Tessa Gervasini is an intern at Catholic News Agency and a member of College Fix. He recently graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications.