ASIA/JAPAN - An “Emergency Centre” for helpers in Sendai, deaths also among Christians

Sendai (Agenzia Fides) – “There have been deaths among the Christian faithful, but we do not have precise numbers yet. We are shocked, but today we received comforting support from the Japanese Bishops who are meeting in Sendai. The President of Caritas Japan, Bishop Isao Kikuchi and all the Caritas staff also attended the emergency meeting, from which emerged many good ideas. The support that we are receiving from Japan and the rest of the world instils much hope in us,” says Bishop Martin Tetsuo Hiraga of the Diocese of Sendai to Fides, the diocese most affected by the earthquake and the tsunami, upon being questioned at the conclusion of the meeting of the Japanese prelates taking stock of the situation (see Fides 15/3/2011).
The summit was focused on the Church's intervention of emergency support for the victims: the operations will be entrusted to the staff of Caritas, thanks to the many volunteers who are offering their services. In the diocese of Sendai, informs the Bishop, they will set up an Emergency Centre to arrange and coordinate humanitarian operations under the supervision of Caritas Japan. Currently an official statement regarding the meeting is being drafted, in which the key decisions taken by the Bishops will be published.
Fr Daisuke Narui, Director of Caritas Japan, also told Fides: “The larger buildings in Sendai have borne a very large earthquake. The greatest damage resulted from the tsunami. The image of the destruction is horrifying. From now, we roll our sleeves up. The people are waiting for our help.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2011)