Storms disrupt Year of Mercy celebrations

THE BISHOP of Lancaster urged Catholics to pray for those affected by flooding in Cumbria and north Lancashire, and to donate to the relief effort. Over 43,000 homes were left without power after Storm Desmond hit the UK on 4 December. Cumbria was the worst hit area.

In a statement, Bishop Michael Campbell said: “My heart goes out in particular to those of you who now have had to endure such upheaval and destruction for the second time in recent years. I know that the wonderful spirit of community solidarity that sustained you then, will again give you the courage and determination to meet and deal with the present dreadful adversity.”

Bishop Campbell encouraged all Catholics in the Diocese of Lancaster to support an emergency appeal launched by the Cumbria Community Foundation to help those affected by the storm.

The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund 2015 has so far raised more than £500,000 and hopes to reach its £2 million target.

Among the churches affected were Our Lady & St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Carlisle, where Bishop Campbell cancelled the opening of the Shrine of Mercy planned for yesterday, and Lancaster Cathedral which called off a Mass to mark the beginning of the Year of Mercy and the ­fiftieth anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council.

The Parish Church of St Lawrence in Appleby was also flooded, despite the local community spending £50,000 on flood defences. Five Catholic schools in Cumbria were closed and two more in Lancaster.