Australian Church launches
collaboration to deal with natural disasters
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| Recent bushfires in New South Wales (ANSA) |
In light of the recent massive bushfires that have engulfed
parts of Australia, the Church in the country launches a new initiative to deal
with natural disasters.
By Vatican News
The new national collaboration is called CERA – Catholic
Emergency Relief Australia – and will serve as a coordination point for
Catholic agencies responding to natural disasters.
The founding organisations are the Australian Catholic
Bishops Conference, Catholic Religious Australia, Catholic Social Services
Australia and the National Catholic Education Commission.
The Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, noted that the
initiative "was established after the devastating fires hit Australia in
recent months. It is also being seen as a blueprint for how the Catholic Church
responds to domestic natural disasters in the future.
Earlier this month, the Bishop’s Conference and a number of
other national organisations encouraged Catholics to donate to the Vinnies
Bushfire Appeal, which is supporting people who have lost loved ones, homes,
property and animals.
CERA’s role will be to help people on the long road to
recovery from the ongoing bushfire crisis and to mobilize as soon as the
country is struck by another natural disaster.
Since last September at least 10 million hectares of land
have been burnt by the raging bushfires.
29 people have lost their lives and countless animals have
been killed.
In recent weeks, heavy rainfall has improved the situation,
but according to experts, the rising temperatures could revive the flames,
especially in the south of the country.
On a least two recent occasions, Pope Francis has assured
the Australian people of his closeness and prayers during this difficult time.
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