Prayers and Financial Assistance for the Victims of the Kerala Disaster

CP-Cir/221/2018

Circular

To the Parish Priests, Heads of Institutions
and other Bodies of the Archdiocese

Prayers and Financial Assistance for the Victims of the Kerala Disaster

Dearly Beloved,

Greetings of Peace!

We are receiving reports from various sources of the media regarding unprecedented rains causing floods and landslides throughout the State of Kerala, with huge loss of property and even of precious human life. More than two lakh people are rendered homeless, while water levels continue to rise, causing fear and panic in the whole State.

Caritas-India, the social service wing of the Church for humanitarian work, has already swung into action and is joining hands with die Government and other agencies to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected people.

The Church in Goa would like to express its solidarity and sympathy with die thousands of people who have lost their homes and other possessions. We appeal to all to offer fervent prayers for the hapless victims of this disaster, particularly those who lost their dear ones, suffered injuries and are left with nothing.

In this hour of pain, we need to reach out to our brothers and sisters in distress, not only through our prayer, but also materially. The Church in Goa has been generous in the past, when natural calamities of this nature have created havoc in the lives of whole populations. Time has come to rise up again to the call of distress. Recalling the exhortation of St. Paul, “Let love be genuine” (Rom. 12:9), let us respond to this new challenge and help the people of Kerala to reconstruct their lives and strengthen their faith in humankind.

This Archdiocese has already sent to Caritas-India a significant amount as an immediate contribution of the Church in Goa towards the relief operations.

We welcome your personal generous monetary contributions. Cheques and demand drafts may be drawn in favour of Caritas-Goa Emergency Calamities, A/c 520101219522622, Corporation Bank, Panaji Branch (IFSC Code – CORP0000259, MICR Code – 403017002) (with a note that the amount is towards Kerala Disaster). They, along with cash donations, may be handed over to the respective parish priests or at the Caritas-Goa office, Institute N.S. Piedade, Panjim, which will also receive any special collections made in our churches, chapels or institutions.

We call upon our Pastors as well as Superiors of educational and other religious institutions to announce the contents of this Circular at Sunday Masses and regular meetings and thus enable everyone to take part in this drive of the Church in Goa to bring relief to our suffering brethren in Kerala.

May the Lord inspire us to be generous and thus share in a special way in His ongoing Mission of Liberation.

Archbishop’s House, Panjim, Goa, August 17, 2018.

  Sd/-
(+ Filipe Neri Ferrão)
Archbishop of Goa and Daman

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