Manila churches to hold 2nd collection for Vanuatu cyclone victims

Catholic churches under the Manila Archdiocese will hold a second collection at Sunday Mass to help survivors of Tropical Cyclone Pam, which devastated parts of Vanuatu.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said this is also an effort to make the season of Lent “more meaningful” through works of mercy and compassion.

"In the spirit of Christian solidarity with and charity for our brothers and sisters affected by the cyclone that hit in Vanuatu, a very poor island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, last weekend, may I request that the usual second collection taken up for Alay Kapwa this Sunday, March 22, the fifth Sunday of Lent, be sent to Vanuatu," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines quoted Tagle as saying in a circular.

The CBCP news site quoted Tagle as noting the international community had responded to the Philippines after super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) battered the Visayas in November 2013 and left more than 6,300 dead.

He added the funds to be collected will be contributed to national and international charities.

All collections are to be remitted to the Treasury and Accounting Department of Arzobispado de Manila or to Caritas Manila, he said.

The United Nations sought continued international support to help Vanuatu recover from the cyclone.

UN humanitarian coordinator for the archipelagic nation Osnat Lubrani said at least 17 people had been killed while 65,000 were rendered homeless by Pam.

Meanwhile, the CBCP quoted Port-Vila Bishop John Bosco Baremes as saying fellow Vanuatu Church leaders are working to help those affected by the storm, stressing the need for food, shelter, and clothing. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News