The bishops of the Patagonia region (Argentina) went with A letter to the faithful before the devastating fires that affect the area. With concern and solidarity, they called to work for reconstruction.
For more than a month, Argentine Patagonia was seriously affected by fire spotlights, several of them of intentional origin confirmed by the authorities. The flames have already swept more than 25,000 hectares, causing irreversible damage in the provinces of Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut.
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At this time “of pain and suffering”, the prelates expressed “deep concern and solidarity with all the families and communities that have been impacted by these tragic events.”
In particular, they referred to the cases of loss of human life, such as Don Reyes, an 87 -year -old neighbor from El Bolsón, who died when he tried to save his dogs from fire.
“We know that the damage is vast, not only in the natural field, but also in the lives of each of those who inhabit this region,” the bishops recognized.
Within that framework, they expressed their thanks to Brigadistas, Firefighters, Volunteers and Authorities “who from the first moment are working tirelessly to protect our communities, our environment, our history.”
Going to the inhabitants of the region, they sought to carry a message of hope: “We know that the road is not easy, but with faith in God and the joint effort, we can get ahead, since it is in each prayer, in each act of generosity and in each gesture of unity, where we find the strength to rebuild, to heal, and to be reborn ”.
They also invited everyone to join “in a fervent supplication to God, asking that he, in his infinite mercy, sends us the blessing of the rain that turns off the foci of fire that our land consumes.”
They also reflected on the “fire spotlights” in the hearts of men, “those that distort realities and cause divisions, selfishness and contempt for life and creation.”
“May God grant us the grace to purify our hearts, to live with greater solidarity, empathy and responsibility towards the earth that welcomes us,” they prayed.
In that sense, they invited everyone to “unite in prayer and hugging hope, raising their heads, starting a new stage that will be arduous and possible.”
“The reconstruction is everyone’s responsibility, because we were all affected: mainly our children and our elders, our forests, our sources of work, the urban and the rural. God listens to our pleas and always guide us towards peace and justice. ”
Julieta Villar
I am a journalist, a graduate in Communication from the National University of La Matanza in Argentina. I have work experience in non -governmental organizations. Since 2016 I dedicate myself to Catholic journalism, first in the Argentine Catholic Information Agency (AICA) and, since 2022, as a correspondent for ACI Press for Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia.