Tragedies in Asia show
unity of human family
It’s hard to find a silver lining in a tragedy such
as the devastating earthquake in China last week. The massive
quake and aftershocks have so far caused more than 40,000
deaths and almost a quarter-million injured, and left an
estimated 5 million homeless.
But signs of human kindness and solidarity are emerging
from the rubble. Ordinary Chinese citizens are streaming
into the affected area from throughout the country to help
rescue or provide comfort to the victims. Other Chinese,
especially children, are donating their money for the relief
efforts. All of this is happening without prodding from
the Communist government.
The Chinese are accepting help from aid groups throughout
the world, including our country. Catholic Relief Services
remains a great way to help the earthquake victims and the
still-suffering survivors of the cyclone in Myanmar. The
repressive regime of that nation finally is allowing international
assistance for the recovery. Visit www.crs.org to learn
how you can help.
One way to support our brothers and sisters in foreign lands
is through prayer. Providentially, this Sunday, May 24,
had already been designated as a day of prayer for China.
Under the protection of Our Lady of Charity on her feast
day, Pope Benedict XVI called for special prayers on Sunday.
Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate Mass that day at Holy
Redeemer Church, the locus for Chinese Catholics in the
Archdiocese. All the faithful are invited to attend the
9:30 a.m. Mass, or join spiritually in prayer.
The Catholic Christians in China and throughout the world
need our prayers. Though earthquakes and storms have exacted
a heavy human toll, they also show how closely united we
are, even if it takes a disaster to remind us. It remains
true, if not always clear, that our oneness as children
of our heavenly Father transcends the differences of geography,
language and culture.