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Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) – Intense prayer, Masses for the repose of the souls of victims, profound spiritual solidarity and concrete aid, a fundraising collection for the primary needs of the people struck by the earthquake in Haiti: this is what has been characterizing the life of many Chinese Catholic communities since yesterday. According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the great work of solidarity is being organized and coordinated by Jinde Charities, the largest Catholic charity in China, headquartered in Shi Jia Zhuang, the capital of the Province of He Bei, in response to Pope Benedict XVI's appeal launched during the General Audience on Wednesday. Chinese Catholics prayed especially for Archbishop Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince and for the Catholic community in Haiti, as they experience this time of intense trial, praying for the intercession of Our Heavenly Mother.
According to Fr. Han Qing Ping, Vice-Director of Jinde Charities, “our online donation campaign launched immediately following the tragedy is going at full speed and with a large participation. We are all still under the shock from the gravity and devastation of this earthquake. 80% of the Haitian people are Catholics, so we feel an even greater duty to offer whatever we can to our brothers in the faith. In addition to the online donations, we are also collaborating intensely with out generous donors in China and elsewhere, to coordinate and organize the shipment of basic need materials.” The priest also highlighted that: “the prayer of the faithful is the greatest force; we saw this in the earthquake that struck Si Chuan, China, two years ago. So, we offer this from our own experience, to our brothers and sisters of Haiti.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 14/01/2010)
