ROME—Cardinal
Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the
following statement on the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael from
the Florida Panhandle to Virginia.

Full statement of Cardinal DiNardo follows:

“In
the wake of two powerful hurricanes, people across the southeast now
face the long process of recovery. May God’s mercy comfort family and
friends who have lost loved ones and sustain those rebuilding their
homes and businesses. Let us respond with prayer and personal
generosity.

As a community of faith, we remain with our brothers
and sisters throughout their journey. I am grateful for the way so
many volunteer their time, make donations, and witness to the need long
after the headlines fade. Your generosity reveals Christ is present.

Humanitarian
needs still exist from previous hurricanes. New storms will bring new
suffering. Together, we can help communities carry this cross.
Thousands of parishes have taken up an Emergency Collection for 2018
Natural Disasters. You can also support relief efforts in the United
States by visiting www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or internationally at
www.crs.org.

Thank you and may God bless you in this time of great need.”

—

Keywords:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Cardinal Daniel N.
DiNardo, Hurricane Michael, natural disasters, prayer

Media Contact:

Judy Keane

202-541-3200

WASHINGTON—Bishop
Frank J. Dewane of Venice Florida, Chair of the of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human
Development, has issued the following statement regarding Hurricane
Michael’s swath of deadly destruction which has devastated the Florida
Panhandle, and parts of Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. In
his statement, Bishop Dewane calls for prayers for all those who have
been impacted, as well as prayers for the first responders and those who
have been evacuated. Full statement from Bishop Dewane follows:

“Our
nation is yet again facing the impact of a powerful and deadly
hurricane. Our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras
and Cuba have already felt Hurricane Michael’s destruction, and we pray
for their recovery efforts.

As Hurricane Michael has
moved with deadly force through the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia,
the Carolinas and Virginia; we lift up in prayer all of those who are
impacted, asking almighty God to guide the steady hands of first
responders and to widen the hearts of all who are able to be generous to
neighbors facing danger, grief, or displacement of any kind due to the
disaster.

While the fury of this storm season continues,
I am reminded of the disciples’ plea to Jesus as a violent storm
threatened their lives: ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are
perishing?’ (Mk 4, 38). At a time like this, when human lives are
disrupted and the mystery of suffering becomes a painful reality for so
many, we implore to the one who ‘commands even the winds and the sea’
(Lk 8, 25) to give them strength and protection.

Prayers
and generosity are greatly needed at this time. With great faith and
hope in the midst of this crisis may all our work and efforts go towards
helping those in need. Last week, the day after tropical storm Michael
was first monitored, the USCCB ‘requested that dioceses across the
country take up an emergency collection on behalf of those devastated by
Hurricane Florence, as well as any forthcoming natural disasters this
year.’ The funds collected in this special appeal for 2018 Disasters
will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/or
Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S.
Catholic Church as they and their local agencies respond to immediate
emergency needs.

As the impact of Hurricane Michael becomes
clearer, we will work closely with local dioceses, Catholic relief
entities and with other organizations to assess the needs on the ground
and offer assistance.

Let us join in prayer for all those who are in the path of Hurricane Michael. May God bless and protect you.”

—

Keywords:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Frank
Dewane, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Hurricane
Michael, Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services,
devastation, assistance.

Media Contact:

Judy Keane

202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops