AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - The Malagasy population moved by the Pope’s appeal who became "the voice of the voiceless"

Moramanga (Agenzia Fides) - "I thank especially the Holy Father, who in his Sunday appeal became the 'voice of the voiceless'. Heartfelt thanks from my community, Christian and civil, to whom I read his message: the people were really moved". These are the words of the Bishop of Moramanga, Mgr. Gaetano Di Pierro, gathered by Fides, after Benedict XVI’s appeal for Madagascar, launched during last Sunday’s Angelus. The population of the African country continues to experience enormous difficulties in fact, following the passage of the cyclone Giovanna, which on February 13 caused serious damage in several areas of the country (see Fides 14,16,17,20/02/2012).
"Here in Madagascar – Mgr. Di Pierro says to Fides - people keep themselves busy, there has been some aid which does not solve the problem of survival of this population. I thank, on behalf of my Christian community, all the people, both here on the site and those outside, who were able to 'donate': may the Lord reward them. Even the Nunciature here on the spot gave its support, both spiritually and materially. The organization CRS was present from the very beginning and gave its contribution. The people need to feel loved first of all, and then to have some material aid, such as sheet metal, which here cost a quarter of the salary of a worker to repair their roofs. Among other requirements, different kinds of vegetable seeds are needed to replant them in order to have a small crop assured this year", said Msgr. Di Pierro. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2012)