09708
August 19, 2009

Taiwan churches urge response to typhoon devastation

by Francis Wong
Ecumenical News International

HONG KONG — Taiwan continues to reel from the effects of Typhoon Morakot, and the country’s churches have called on members to assist with resources to help those trying to rebuild their lives.

Typhoon Morakot, the most powerful storm to lash Taiwan in more than 50 years, slammed into the island off the Chinese mainland Aug. 7. It triggered mudslides and floods that have killed more than 500 people. The typhoon brought about the biggest natural disaster in the country for half a century.

The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan issued a pastoral letter on Aug. 13, in which it appealed to its members “to participate in the ministry of relief and restoration with prayer, giving and volunteer services to bring hope and peace for the people in the afflicted areas”.

In some flooded parts, rainfall of more than 80 inches in just two days matched that for a whole year. Mudslides have buried mountain villages and increased the death toll. Rescue teams have so far airlifted more than 14,000 people to safety, while maintaining the search for hundreds of other missing people.

The Presbyterian Church has set up relief centers in different areas, coordinated medical teams, and provided phone helplines and dropping stations for donations.

The Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Taiwan appealed to all dioceses and parishes to offer donations for victims of the typhoon at Masses Aug. 16. The Rev. Otfried Chan, secretary-general of the conference, told Ecumenical News International, “The diocese is collecting money and material aid, such as food, water and towels, to cover the urgent needs of the victims.”

The bishops held special prayer meetings Aug. 15 in Tapei, the capital of Taiwan, for the victims. The church leaders have also appealed to their counterparts around the world to help raise funds for the recovery of areas the typhoon hit. Hong Kong Catholics joined in the appeals.

The president of the Taiwan bishops’ conference, Archbishop John Hung, who was due to attend an Asian bishops’ meeting in Manila, shortened his trip and returned home on Aug. 13. He said he had to “go back to tend my flock”.

In Italy, on 12 August, Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers for the peoples of Taiwan, mainland China, the Philippines and Japan, who had all faced death and destruction from recent typhoons and earthquakes.

“I want to demonstrate my spiritual closeness to all those who find themselves in situations of serious difficulty, and I ask everyone to pray for them and for those who lost their lives,” the Pope said at his weekly general audience in Castel Gandolfo.