Pope sends aid to Albania
earthquake victims
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| The Catholic Church responds to the earthquake emergency in Albania |
Pope Francis sends a first contribution of 100,000 euros in
aid of the Albanian population affected by a major earthquake.
By Linda Bordoni
The northern coast of Albania was struck by a deadly 6.4
magnitude earthquake on the night of 25 November. Most of the death and
destruction occurred in the port city of Durres and in Thumane, close to the
epicentre.
The earth is still shaking and rescue teams are combing the
rubble.
According to the Albanian Red Cross at least 47 people were
killed in the quake and many are still missing. At least 600 more were injured
and hundreds of people have been left homeless.
Emergency response
Pope Francis’s 100,000 euro donation, made through the
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will be used for a
first-phase emergency response. It has been distributed to dioceses affected by
the quake for immediate relief and assistance.
On Wednesday the Pope prayed for the earthquake victims
during his General Audience in St Peter’s Square: “I would like to send a
greeting and my closeness to the dear Albanian people, who have suffered so
much in these days,” he said, recalling that Albania was the first
country in Europe that he chose to visit. “I am close to the victims, I pray
for the dead, for the wounded, for the families. May the Lord bless this people
whom I love so much," he said.
He also sent a telegramme to the President of the nation
assuring Albanians of his closeness in prayer and bestowing his blessings upon
the emergency personnel in their relief efforts.
The commitment of the Catholic Church in support of the
earthquake victims
The contribution of the Dicastery, which accompanies the
Pope's prayer for the people of Albania, is part of a wider effort on the part
of the Catholic Church engaging various Bishops’ Conferences and numerous
charities.
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