Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Initiatives of prayer and solidarity are increasing among the Chinese Catholic community, in service to the people of Yu Shu in the Province of Qing Hai, in mainland China, following the earthquake of April 14, at 7:49am hours local, in response to the appeal launched during the Pope's general audience on April 14 that asked that there be “no lack of common solidarity."
According to information received by Fides, through coordination of Jinde Charities, the Catholic charitable organization on mainland China that is on site and works in collaboration with Caritas in different parts of the world, the first Catholic aid consisting of flour, cooking oil, and salt for a value of 100,000 Yuan (equivalent to 13,000 euros) arrived at their destination and were immediately distributed to over 800 Tibetan families, for a total of over 3,000 people. They were also given tents, blankets, warm clothes, food, and drinking water. Jinde Charities was also the first religious charitable organization to arrive at the place of the earthquake, which is in an inaccessible area, 4,300 meters high, and with a strong temperature: minus 10 degrees at night and over 20 degrees during the day. In addition to the first Jinde workers, who arrived April 17, after more than 20 hours by car, 4 religious sisters specializing in psychological support in emergencies and major natural disasters also arrived on the scene. The Center for Social Services of the Diocese of Xi An also joined Jinde in coordinating aid.
All the local Catholic communities were mobilized to celebrate Masses for the repose of the deceased, to promote initiatives of prayer, and take up collections for the earthquake victims of Qing Hai, especially during the Sunday Masses of Sunday, April 18. The parish of Nan Tang in the Diocese of Xi An was able to gather on this day 20,654.40 yuan including the contributions of non-Catholics. Also on Sunday, April 18, the parish of Wu An of the Diocese of Han Dan collected 16,400 yuan. The Diocese of Yin Chuan collected 9,786 yuan and the Cathedral of the Diocese of Le Shan in the province of Si Chuan collected 4,640 yuan, and the list goes on. The parish of the Diocese of Qi Qi Ha Er in the Hei Long Jiang province, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Bao Ding, and other communities also took up collections, invoking the maternal protection of Our Lady of China and the Lord's support for the people that are undergoing this ordeal.
The Bishop of Hong Kong, Bishop John Tong, has launched an appeal to parishes, asking that the Catholics of Hong Kong be generous in giving aid to the population of Qing Hai. According to the latest official statistics, as of 10am, April 20, local time in Beijing, the earthquake has caused 2,046 deaths, 193 missing, and 12,135 wounded, including 1,434 in serious condition. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 20/04/2010)
