The papal nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, expressed his admiration for the people and their faith in places devastated by super typhoon Odette (Rai) last month.
“Such a profound respect and admiration for the faith of the Filipino people down there in Surigao and in Bohol and all of these places that got hit by the typhoon,” he said.
The archbishop visited the areas in the wake of the destruction brought about by the typhoon during the Christmas break.
“Their faith is really unconquered,” said Archbishop Brown.
“Your church is partially collapsed but your faith is not collapsed at all, so strong and its beautiful to see your faith,” he said in a radio broadcast over Radio Veritas 846 on Monday, January 10.
He said that despite the disaster, he saw a people full of hope.
“I didn’t see discouragement. I saw determination as the people are working together,” he said.
“You will see a synodal Church in the sense that everyone is helping to go forward together trying to repair the damages from the typhoon,” said the archbishop, adding that no one is left behind “even the poorest people.”
Archbishop Brown reiterated his appeal for donations. “Please be generous and let us help these people,” he said.
The Catholic Church’s humanitarian arm, Caritas Philippines, has earlier announced that it will soon begin its recovery initiative in devastated areas.
“In the coming weeks, we will start rebuilding houses, providing emergency livelihood assistance and other priority needs,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, chairman of Caritas Philippines.
As of last week, the agency received at least Php39.9 million cash donations from private individuals, dioceses, companies, and its partners from the Caritas network.
The agency has served more than 41,900 families with food packs, water and other emergency assistance as of December 31.
According to Caritas’ initial assessment, typhoon Odette affected about 1.1 million families and displaced more than 452,000 people.
The disaster also destroyed more than half a million houses in at least 38 provinces.
