Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Alagoas (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Brazil CNBB informed Fides that Caritas Brazil, region north-east 2, has launched a campaign SOS Pernambuco e Alagoas, to aid victims of torrential rains in the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas (see Fides 22/06/2010). At a meeting in Brasilia yesterday, 23 June, the CNBB standing committee discussed the situation in the two stricken States and a Bishops' message of solidarity is expected soon.
Torrential rains last week devastated the States of Pernambuco and Alagoas leaving more than 40 dead, 100,000 homeless and some 1,500 people still missing, according to statements issued by the respective state governments. In Pernambuco 53 towns have declared a state of emergency. In Alagoas 17 towns have been affected and 15 are in a state of emergency.
Several dioceses in the region, for example the archdiocese of Campinas (state of Sao Paolo) have launched solidarity campaigns. At Campina Grande (Paraibo), the diocesan Bishop, Mgr. Jaime Vieira Rocha, launched a diocesan campaign, with the support of the local Campina Grande Office for Coordination of Tourism. People are asked to give offerings of money or clean water, non perishable food, clothing and mattresses. The organisers aim to collect 15 tons of food.
The archdiocese of Maceió, where 19 of its 21 towns are seriously affected, launched a campaign on 19 June. Archbishop Antonio Muniz, appealed to the faithful to give generously.
" As Vicar General and pastoral coordinator I visited the affected communities, the priests and people now homeless and offered them our solidarity. What I saw, dear brothers and sisters, was a scene of war; roads completely destroyed; homes washed away by the waters, only floors and foundations were left; great trees uprooted and thrown on top of homes” . This is the testimony of the pastoral coordinator of communications of the archdiocese of Maceió, Fr. Eduardo Tadeu. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 24/06/2010)
