2011-03-14 11:50:45

Pope sends financial aid to Japan


At the weekend, Pope Benedict XVI sent a charitable donation of $100,000 U.S. dollars to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan to help victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the Asian nation last Friday.

Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, an official at the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Vatican office responsible for papal donations to charities, told Vatican Radio’s Tracey McClure that they are working closely with the bishops, Caritas Internationalis and other aid organisations to determine how to respond to the greatest needs of Japan’s people.

Calling it “a major tragedy,” Msgr. Figueiredo cited Japan as the latest in a string of major disasters, including the 2004 tsunami in Asia, a devastating earthquake and flooding in Pakistan and the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti a little more than a year ago.

“The first thing we must do is really to pray… for these people to give them hope.” He said.

“Obviously, material, concrete aid is necessary. The Holy Father has sent through this Pontifical Council the sum of one hundred thousand dollars to the (Japanese) Bishops’ Conference simply because this is the quickest way the funds can get to those dioceses most affected. Also the bishops are the first responsible for charity in the diocese and they know the needs of the people.”

“We are keeping a close monitor on the needs… Often there’s the immediate response which is good. The Holy Father himself asked for this immediate response. But then in time, the tragedy is often forgotten. This is what we experienced in Haiti… so the Church wants to be there not only in the short term but especially in the long term where many of the secular agencies have gone and there’s no one to help.”

Listen to the interview: RealAudioMP3








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