Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Salta (Agenzia Fides) – Caritas Argentina is supporting the refugee families from the city of Tartagal, which one week ago were hit by a landslide that officials say has killed at least two people and left severe damages to the infrastructures. “One of our main tasks has been to organize centers for the refugees in several parishes and schools, where there are many women and children that have lost everything in the heavy rains,” members of Caritas Oran (the Diocese where Tartagal is situated).
In a statement entitled “Tartagal' tragedy is our tragedy,” the Archbishop Mario Antonio Cargnello of Salta exhorted all the faithful to lend a hand to those affected by the landslide: “the families of Tratagal are suffering after the flooding, as they witness their home, their security, everything swept away. The Lord comes to us and knocks on the door of our hearts, asking us to make Him present at their side, to be witnesses of hope and show fraternal solidarity.” After visiting the evacuees, along with Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Andres Buttu, the Bishop asked that a collection be taken up on Ash Wednesday, February 25, the proceeds of which will all go towards Tartagal. The parishes, Vicariates, and the churches with Masses on that day will all send in their collections to the Archdiocesan Caritas Office or the Archdiocese.” “We are united in prayer, which comforts and sustains our hope. The Lord will help us to come out of this great difficulty. May we grow in fraternity.”
The National University of Cordova has also begun a campaign of solidarity and asked all the students and all the academic community to “collaborate with the town of Tartagal, to accompany them in this difficult situation.”
The Bishops of Northwestern Argentina (NOA, formed by the Archdiocese of Salta and Tucuman, and the Dioceses of Añatuya, Concepción, Santiago, Cafayate, Catamarca, Humahuaca, Jujuy, and Orán) are holding a meeting February 16-18 in San Salvador de Jujuy, to evaluate the situation and travel to the area to express their closeness to the victims.
According to Bishop Marcelino Palentini of Jujuy, during the meeting they will try to address important topics “linked to the mission asked of us in the Aparecida Document, analyze how we are carrying out in the Dioceses of NOA.” They will also address the Synod on the Word of God held in the Vatican this past October and the upcoming Ad Limina Visit of the Argentinian Bishops in March-April of this year.
The meeting will also be attended by Monsignor Andres Buttu, Diocesan Administrator of San Ramon of Nueva Oran, in whose jurisdiction Tartagal is situated. He will inform those present of any updates on the situation and “we will see what we can do to help them.” Bishop Marcelino Palentini has also invited all those living in the region to “contribute however they can in helping our brethren in Tartagal.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2009)
