PANJIM: Expressing solidarity and sympathy with the people who have lost their family members and homes in the Jammu and Kashmir floods, Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao has appealed to the people in Goa to pray and generously provide financial assistance for victims of the disaster.
In a press note, the Archbishop stated “Thousands of hapless people are still stranded in their villages, cut off from the rest of the world. Church buildings and schools are submerged under 20 feet of water, with priests and nuns stranded in the attics of their residences. They are yet to be reached by the rescue teams, even after a week. The situation is all but appalling.”
“Caritas India, the social service wing of the Church for humanitarian work, has already swung into action and is joining hands with the government and other agencies to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected people.”
“The Church in Goa has been following this calamity with deep consternation and grief and expresses its solidarity and sympathy with the thousands of people who have lost their family members, homes and other enterprises. We appeal to all to offer fervent prayers for the hapless victims of this disaster, particularly those who lost their dear ones, suffered injuries or lost everything.”
“We welcome your generous monetary contributions, cheques and demand drafts may be drawn in favour of Caritas Goa (Emergency Calamities) SB Account No 0259001018046, Corporation Bank, Panaji Branch (Opp Municipal Garden, Panjim), with a note that the amount is towards the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster. These, along with cash donations, may be handed over to the respective Parish Priests or at the Caritas-Goa office, Instituto N S Piedade, Panjim, which will also receive any collections made in our churches, chapels or institutions. These could make use of special collection boxes or any other suitable means to this end,” stated the press note.
