Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) - 'Youth without Frontiers' , JSF the Missionary youth pastoral service of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru, has just completed a programme "Looking at the world through the eyes of Christ" in which a group of these JSF youngsters visited people in the South Chico area affected by the earthquake on 15 August, Gabriela Díaz JSF-Peru national co-ordinator told Fides.
The group went to El Carmen in Ica, one of the worst hit areas and stayed there from 30 August to 2 September helping the local community. "As JSF we could not be indifferent to so much suffering, and our mission was not only to deliver food supplies to the affected families but also to offer spiritual courage to nourish the heart and soul of these people so in need of a message of faith and hope " the JSF message reads
For these JSF members this was an unforgettable experience and they ask for help to be able to "continue to collaborate with our brothers and sisters in the South who are in such need". They thank the people of El Carmen "for the warm welcome and a great lesson because although they lost almost everything their faith is still strong and with the few things they manage to salvage they made us so welcome and taught us how to share".
Groups of ten and twelve priests sent by the archdiocese of Lima to the affected areas to offer spiritual assistance have already made about 30 missions. Some priests are accompanied by small groups of young volunteers. A group of priests stays from Monday to Friday and then the volunteers take over for the weekend so the priests may attend to pastoral duties in their respective parishes in Lima. This spiritual service is expected to continue until life in the affected areas returns to normal. The young volunteers organise catechism classes and recreation for children, they lead the recitation of the Rosary and deliver parcels of food and clothing. Communities of women religious in Lima have also offered help to give spiritual care and to assist the sick in the affected areas.
Almost a month after the earthquake in southern Peru, Caritas-Perù issued a report on the catastrophe and the present situation. The official death toll was 519 and the number of persons injured 1,844. An estimated 59,800 families were affected, 59,795 homes were destroyed and another 20,000 damaged. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/9/2007; righe 33, parole 485)
