06 December 2013 – Catholics in Canada ar pitching in the international aid effort in response to the humanitarian emergency in areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines.
In a statement, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has indicated that it has joined with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) to prepare a first response and a plan of continuing aid for the victims of the typhoon.
CCB is asking that a special national collection be held before December 9 in the diocese and parishes of Canada to support the massive relief effort it is mounting in collaboration with CCODP and other member organizations of the Caritas Internationalis family, to help Filipinos in the disaster areas.
CCODP is participating in the response of the global Caritas family to the emergency, and has already sent a first contribution of $100,000 to Caritas Philippines to provide immediate support (basic temporary shelters, emergency food and water supplies, medicines, etc.) for the victims.
In a letter addressed to the Bishops of Canada, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the CCCB, reminded his brother Bishops the appeal of Pope Francis during his weekly Angelus Prayer at the Vatican this past Sunday: “Pope Francis invited us to pray publicly and privately for the many who have lost their lives or have been affected by this terrible tragedy and to come to their assistance”.
According to reports from the Canadian Press, at Masses everywhere in the Achdiocese of Toronto, 224 parishes have prayed for the Philippines. “There is a solidarity of love and prayer,” Cardinal Thomas Collins told parishoners of Our Lady of the Assumption at a Mass for typhoon victims in Toronto. Collins emphasized the communion all Christians share with the suffering through Christ.
CCODP disclosed it had already collected $255,000. The amount is expected to rise further by December 9 as such donations will be matched by the federal government under the Typhoon Haiyan Matching Relief Fund.
The counterpart Assumption Parish Ottawa was among those who quickly organized a fund-raising event in the wake of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Government officials and various civic groups in Canada have cited the Filipino presence and participation in various Catholic dioceses as reviving and renewing parishes and communities across Canada. END