Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New York (Fides Service) - “I return to the United States to share with Catholics there the enduring, sustaining faith of these people, and how I have been uplifted by that faith - and to encourage them to continue to offer their prayers and support for them,” Mgr John E. Kozar, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States wrote at the end of a report on a visit last month to tsunami affected areas in Asia to assess needs. A copy of his detailed report was sent to Fides. The visit started on 18 March in East Timor, after which Mons. Kozar went to Banda Aceh in Indonesia and to Jakarta where he celebrated Holy Week and Easter liturgies 24 to 27 March. Towards the end of his visit while Mgr. Kozar was in Bali, another seaquake hit the zone, affecting especially the Nias islands leaving thousands more dead and homeless.
In his report Mgr. Kozar praises the faith of these people, a place where liturgies last for many hours and where many witnessed to their faith with blood. Their great hope even in so much misfortune, is hope which comes from faith in Jesus Christ and helps them overcome all these negative events. The Church continues to grow in numbers of faithful, priests, religious and so, since these countries are poor, they need our help to support this growth. Mgr Kozar recalls in particular a special liturgy with 1,500 young people and their parents in a Musim village in Jakarta: ““It was a beautiful experience, seeing the great faith in Jesus of these young people”. The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States are more than ever committed to helping the Church and the people in south east Asia after the tsunami supporting long term programmes. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/4/2005, righe 22, parole 340)
