Bishops ask to pray for those affected by hurricanes in Mexico

The Mexican bishops have expressed their solidarity with those “suffering the consequences” of the hurricanes that have hit the country this week, stating that “our hearts are united in prayer,” especially for those who “have lost their homes, their means of subsistence.” or, most painfully, their loved ones.”

Hurricane John made landfall on monday, mainly impacting the southwest of Mexico. Heavy rains caused landslides, resulting in the official deaths of at least eight people in Guerrero. In Oaxaca, three peopleincluding a five-year-old child, drowned after being swept away by overflowing rivers.

The situation became complicated when John made landfall again early Friday morning. The National Meteorological Service of Mexico warned the population of the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco about the risk of landslides and floods, urging the population to take extreme precautions.

In parallel, the huracan Helen It moves through the Gulf of Mexico towards the Florida peninsula, USA, generating occasional heavy rains in Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán.

Particularly vulnerable is the state of Guerrero, which had already been hit by Hurricane Otis, which made landfall on October 25, 2023 with category 5 and winds of up to 330 kilometers per hour. According to the Mexican government, at least 273,844 homes and hundreds of businesses were affected, and the disaster claimed the lives of 52 people.

Through a statement issued on September 27, the Conference of the Mexican Episcopate (CEM) reported that the dioceses most affected so far are Acapulco, Puerto Escondido, Lázaro Cárdenas and surrounding areas.

Faced with this situation, the episcopate called on all the faithful to join in a Day of Prayer for those who “face these difficulties”, ensuring that prayers are “a balm of hope and strength for those who need it most.”

Likewise, the religious community was urged to “mobilize its resources and efforts” to provide aid to the affected communities.

“Christian charity calls us to be the hands and feet of Christ on earth, bringing comfort and assistance to those who suffer,” the bishops noted, trusting that “with the grace of God and the spirit of solidarity that characterizes our country “We will overcome this adversity together.”