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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PEOPLE OF JAPAN
FOR YOU WE ARE PRAYING
(New York City, New York March 18, 2011) Thousands
by way of World Wide Web joined Father James E. Goode at the Holy
Mother of God Chapel – Shrine of Saint Josephine Bakhati at St.
Clare Friary (www.solidgroundministry.com)
to pray for the people in Japan who experienced on March 11, 2011 a
tragic earthquake and the consequent tsunami.
We joined our prayers for the victims, their
families, and those who are suffering because of these painful
events with that of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, our Bishops,
priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and the faithful throughout
the world. With our prayers and donations to Japan, we rest on that
blessed assurance that “earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal”
stated Reverend Father James E. Goode, OFM – President of the
National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life headquartered in the
Archdiocese of New York.
Pope Benedict prays for victims of disaster in Japan,
sends aid
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Saying he, too, was horrified by the images of
the death and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in
Japan, Pope Benedict XVI asked people to join him in praying for the
victims. "May the bereaved and injured be comforted and may the
rescue workers be strengthened in their efforts to assist the
courageous Japanese people," the pope said in English March 13 after
reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter's Square.
Government officials estimated that perhaps 10,000 people lost their
lives after the earthquake March 11 and the tsunami it triggered.
Speaking in Italian after the Angelus, the pope said, "The images of
the tragic earthquake and the consequent tsunami in Japan have left
us deeply horrified. I want to renew my spiritual closeness to that
country's dear people, who with dignity and courage are dealing with
the consequences of the calamity. I pray for the victims and their
families and for all who are suffering because of these terrible
events. I encourage all those who, with laudable speed, are working
to bring help. Let us remain united in prayer." The Pontifical
Council Cor Unum, the Vatican's charity promotion and coordinating
office, announced March 14 that the pope donated $100,000 to the
relief efforts of the Japanese bishops' conference. "Obviously,
material, concrete aid is necessary" to help the thousands who are
suffering, Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo,
a Cor Unum official, told Vatican Radio. "Also, the bishops are the
first responsible for charity in the diocese and they know the needs
of the people. The church wants to be there not only in the short
term but especially in the long term," after "many of the secular
agencies have gone and there's no one to help."
Bishops Voice Solidarity with Japan,
Urge Catholics to Support Efforts of
Catholic Relief Services Following Earthquake
(see USCCB News Release)
www.blackcatholicsforlife.org
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