President of U.S. Bishops Conference recounts his visit to typhoon ravaged Philippines

(Vatican Radio) The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has written a blog recounting his experiences after travelling earlier this month to the Philippines to assess the status of recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan. The massive storm swept through the Philippines on November 8, 2013, devastating large swathes of territory.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky led a group of Church officials on the February 2-7 trip, which was organized and sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international relief and humanitarian agency of the U.S. bishops. The USCCB mounted an emergency response within hours of the typhoon. CRS has received more than $50 million in donations, including $27 million from bishops and dioceses.

The delegation visited the Tacloban area, which suffered extensive damage. In a blog, Archbishop Kurtz explains they visited communities and met with survivors of the typhoon as they attempt to rebuild. They witnessed first-hand the emergency response and development programs run by CRS.

Archbishop Kurtz writes:
“Four million people were displaced by the typhoon, and CRS has helped repair or build 20,000 shelters. They’ve brought clean water and sanitation services to thousands of displaced people. Farmers and others left jobless by the storm are able to support their families through livelihood recovery programs, clearing debris, planting crops and building homes. Catholics in the United States should know their generosity enables essential work of the Gospel, serving those in need without any thought of repayment.”


“Dioceses in the United States have the option to specify whether their donations go only to relief efforts, like CRS, or to relief efforts and church rebuilding. The overwhelming majority of churches in the Archdiocese of Palo sustained damage of some kind. This included eight that were completely destroyed and a cathedral that, despite having its newly renovated roof blown completely off, still drew a full house on a Wednesday evening when we celebrated Mass. This experience and others showed the essential role of the Church in the Philippines as a hub of community life. During Yolanda, countless people sought shelter in churches. Following the storm, churches have played a role in storing and distributing supplies. People’s everyday lives and identities are enmeshed in the parish.”


“As I visited communities, urban and rural, and spoke, listened and prayed with the Filipino people, the sense that we are one Church overwhelmed me. The people of the Philippines are walking a difficult road, but the whole Church walks it together, as we are present in our relief efforts, our friendship and our prayers. I return to the United States filled with joy and gratitude for gift of the Filipino people and with the firm belief that they will continue to overcome.”

More information on the CRS response to Typhoon Haiyan, including how to donate, is available online: http://crs.org/typhoon-haiyan/.

To read Archbishop Kurtz’s blog: http://usccbmedia.blogspot.it/2014/02/what-i-learned-in-philippines.html