Vietnamese Catholics pray for the victims of the Philippines earthquake

24 Oct: 2013: Vietnamese Catholics have responded to the appeal Pope Francis launched during the Angelus on Sunday by praying for the victims of the earthquake in the Philippines, their families and survivors. Bishop Paul Bui Van Dọc, president of the Vietnamese bishops' conference, expressed his deep sadness over the natural disaster that hit the Central Visayas 15 October and extended his condolences to its survivors, in particular those in the areas of Bohol and Cebu. The prelate also assured Filipinos the solidarity of the people of Vietnam, both Catholics and non-Catholics.
Meanwhile, the National Secretariat of Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines continues to help quake victims. Two of its teams have been hard at work in Bohol, checking damages and organising emergency aid. A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the central Philippines (Central Visayas), killing more than 190 people. Many buildings, including old churches dating back to the Spanish colonial era, suffered major damage. Over three million people have been more or less seriously affected by the earthquake in eight cities and 52 municipalities.
Currently, 111,000 Bohol residents are housed in government camps; many others live in tents because of incessant aftershocks.
All the dioceses of the Philippines are mobilised in a fundraising campaign. For now, the priority is to help the victims; only at a later date, plans to rebuild destroyed churches will be examined.
Source: Asianews