ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Typhoon Tisoy: Philippine churches open their doors to displaced people

Tuesday, 3 December 2019 displaced persons   natural disasters  

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - Numerous parish churches in various Philippine dioceses have given shelter to the displaced after the arrival of the tropical typhoon "Tisoy" (Kammuri), which hit the Philippines. This was congfirmed to Agenzia Fides by Mgr. Joel Baylon, Bishop of Legazpi, highlighting that churches, Catholic schools, and pastoral rooms "will serve as evacuation centers and are available to internally displaced persons, according to the needs". In addition, the bishop has asked the faithful to "make toilet facilities available in their private homes".
"Let us join our government agencies to help protect our parishioners", he said, urging the community to make an effort of solidarity. The Bishop also issued a special prayer to God to ask for salvation from the disaster. In the diocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona launched an appeal inviting everyone to join in prayers and make a gesture of charity. "We pray for the safety of children, women and their families. We ask God for protection and consolation, "Christine Go, a Catholic social worker, told Fides.
According to the state meteorological office, "Tisoy" has landed in the Bicol region, in particular Sorsogon, Albay or Catanduanes with gusts of wind up to 185 km/h. Several areas are on alert at "level 3" while Manila is already at "level 2". Typhoon Tisoy is the twentieth storm that has hit the Philippines this year. (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 3/12/2019)


Share: