Cardinal Tagle calls for day of prayer for typhoon victims

(Vatican Radio) Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila has called for a day of prayer and fasting on Saturday in solidarity with all those affected by the deadly Typhoon Haiyan.

In his message to the priests, religious and laity of his archdiocese, he asked that a “Day of Lament and Hope” be observed through penance, prayer and fasting, as a way to be united with those suffering in the storm’s aftermath.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Tagle said every time he sees images of the massive destruction caused by the typhoon, he is left speechless. At the same time, he said he is consoled by the love and solidarity that is pouring in from all over the world in the wake of this disaster.

Listen to the full interview with Cardinal Tagle, conducted by Susy Hodges:

The cardinal spoke frankly about the distress he and others experience when they see the extent of the devastation wrought by the typhoon: “To be honest with you, I think I’m not alone in saying every time we see images of the destruction we are left speechless. We are still recovering from the emotional and psychological shock.”

At the same time, the cardinal said he draws strength “from the love, the concern, the solidarity pouring in, not just from other parts of the Philippines but from all over world.... I’m deeply consoled when I see and hear testimonies of faith, especially from the victims who have lost loved ones. They turn to God, saying in God we have hope.”

Cardinal Tagle described how the Catholic Church is coordinating relief programmes to help the victims but said they have not yet heard from some bishops and other Church leaders in the worst affected areas because “communications are still down.”

The cardinal acknowledged there is “a real possibility” of people dying because of a lack of food, water and medicine, although the Church, the government, the military and aid organisations are all doing their best to reach victims. However, he says he fears poor people living in remote areas are at special risk of hunger and thirst in these coming days.

Cardinal Tagle’s voice cracked with emotion when he summed up the plight facing his stricken homeland and the wonderful outpouring of solidarity it has engendered: “We see rubble and ruins everywhere but we see faith, hope and love and it’s making us stronger people. I want to thank the Holy Father, everyone…. For remembering us and trying their best to reach out, in the name of the victims and the poor, we really thank you”

As part of the day of prayer, the cardinal led a prayer service and Holy Hour on Saturday evening at San Fernando de Dilao Parish, in Paco, Manila.

The bishops conference in the Philippines has also declared a nationwide novena of prayer, Nov. 11-19, for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, as well as for the victims of the earthquake that struck the central Philippines last month.