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Guaynabo (Agenzia Fides) – Mgr. Daniel Fernández Torres, Bishop of Arecibo in Puerto Rico, has launched an appeal for solidarity to the victims of Hurricane Irene, which has hit so far Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Haiti, and now is heading towards Florida, Washington and New York. Described as "historic" and seriously threatening, Irene is alerting the entire continent, by evacuating thousands of people. Mgr. Torres has asked all parishes and the various ecclesial movements of the Diocese of Arecibo "to promote initiatives to help reach out to all those in need", this is what is read in a statement released by the diocesan website . The Bishop has also offered the population affected by the hurricane a "charitable arm" on behalf of the Catholic Church in the northern and central part of Puerto Rico, the Office for Promotion and Human Development, so as to assist neighboring countries and communities. The diocese of Arecibo has 59 parishes, more than 200 chapels and 13 Catholic schools in the 16 municipalities that make up the central area of northern Puerto Rico. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 27/08/2011)
