Church responds to ‘avalanche of disasters’

Church leaders in Mexico have offered prayers and urged generosity after an earthquake struck the capital and its environs, claiming at least 319 lives, including at least 20 children in a collapsed school.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake on 19 September added to the misery of Mexicans who suffered a magnitude 8.1 earthquake 12 days earlier. “We invite the community of God to join in solidarity for our brothers and sisters who are suffering various calamities that have struck our country,” the Mexican bishops said.  

In Mexico City, volunteers have worked for days to clear rubble from collapsing buildings, hoping to find survivors. Caritas Mexico, the church’s aid organisation, reported at least 42 people dead in Morelos and 13 deaths in Puebla, where a dozen churches collapsed. At least 11 people were killed, including a baby, at a christening when a church in the town of Atzala collapsed.

Alberto Arciniega, head of communications for Caritas Mexico, reported that all the Catholic dioceses in Mexico were collecting food, water and other necessities for victims. In Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera asked all parishes and church personnel to “collaborate with the authorities” and “show Christian solidarity”. Bishop Ramon Castro of Cuernavaca toured the hard-hit towns of Morelos and called for more assistance. At least 89 churches in Morelos state, including Cuernavaca Cathedral, suf­fered damage or were destroyed. President of Caritas Mexico, Enrique Maldonado, has called for people to donate to a collection for victims to be taken tomorrow at 1,200 Catholic churches in Mexico City .

Meanwhile, a Jesuit in Puerto Rico has described the devastation after Hurricane Maria hit the island on 20 September as “apocalyptic”. Fr Flavio Bravo SJ, superior of the Society of Jesus’ Puerto Rico community, reported widespread destruction after torrential rain and winds of 155 miles per hour struck the island.

A six-foot cross at the entrance of the secondary school the Jesuits operate on the island, was bent into a 45-degree angle. “Now those who had little, have nothing”, Fr Bravo said. “It’s an avalanche of disasters.”