Appeal by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo – Incoming FABC President for Indonesian Tsunami Victims
RESPECTED YOUR EXCELLENCIES, YOUR EMINENCES, RESPECTED ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS AND FRIENDS,
At the dawn of New Year 2019 we are horrified by the pre-Christmas tsunami tragedy that struck Indonesia. At least 430 people were killed on Saturday 22 December 2018 when the tsunami sparked by under water landslides from an erupting volcano — swept through the Sunda Strait, leaving about 1,500 injured and almost 22,000 displaced in villages on the Java and Sumatra coasts.
This huge tragedy make me recall the pain and suffering when Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar 10 years ago, some 140,000 lives were lost and 800,000 were displaced.
On the eve of the new year, my thoughts go out to the populations of Indonesia, affected by recent violent natural disasters, which have caused serious losses in human lives, numerous people missing and homeless, and extensive material damage.”
We mourn the numerous deaths and untold suffering the tsunami has left behind at the dawn of the new year 2019.
As a first step, let me invite my brother bishops, pastors and catechists, as well as all religious and lay sisters and brothers to join in praying for the victims and for their loved ones and express our spiritual closeness to those who are affected by the tragedy by imploring God’s consolation in their suffering.
Secondly, in my new year message I join pope Francis to make urgent appeal that these unfortunate brothers and sisters may not lack our solidarity and the support of the International Community.
Thirdly, let us collectively look for ways we could tangibly alleviate the sufferings of our Indonesian brothers and sisters.
