Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tang Shan (Agenzia Fides) - “My thoughts turn to the numerous peoples who have been hit by a violent typhoon in the past few days in the Philippines, in Taiwan, in certain south-Eastern Provinces of the People's Republic of China and in Japan...I wish to express my spiritual closeness to all who are in conditions of serious hardship, and I ask everyone to pray for them and for all those who have lost their life. I hope they will not be left without the comfort of solidarity and material assistance.” These were the words of the appeal launched by the Holy Father Benedict XVI during the General Audience on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, which has been heard by the various dioceses on mainland China, according to information gathered by Agenzia Fides. The typhoon “Morakot,” on August 8-9, struck the vast region of northeastern Asia, leaving behind victims and refugees, as well as material damages.
Coordinated by Jinde Charities, the Catholic charity in China, the Diocese of Tang Shan (originally Yong Ping) in the Province of He Bei, Fu Jian, and Zhe Jiang, and other Dioceses of mainland China have recalled the victims during the Mass, taking up the generous donations from the faithful on Sugust 23. In one parish alone, in the Diocese of Tang Shan, in one day 11,150 yuans (about 1,300 Euros) were collected. According to the Diocesan Coadjutor Bishop Fang Jian Ping, “we are asking all the faithful to pray for the victims and help survivors. As Christians, Christian charity is something we must live out. We should practice what we believe and profess.” The Province of Zhe Jiang, near the island of Taiwan, was also struck by the typhoon, but the local Catholic community has also shown its solidarity with those who have suffered greater damages, participating in the collecting and sending of 100,000 yuans (nearly 12,000 Euros) to the people of Taiwan.
Bishop Feng Xin Mao of the Diocese of Heng Shui (originally Jing Xian), President of Jinde Charities, has written a message to the victim population, most of them being Catholics and Protestants, expressing his own solidarity. Jinde Charities has also created a “hotline” for collecting donations and continue working intensely on the distribution of aid. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2009)
