Indonesia earthquake: Bishop witnesses “tears of sorrow slowly transform into the dawn of hope”
The Catholic Church is at the forefront of efforts to help victims of the earthquake that struck one of the most densely Christian islands of Indonesia.
The Indonesian island of Flores was recently struck by a severe earthquake that registered at 7.7 in the Richter scale. The 15 August earthquake caused at least 70 deaths, injured over 1000 people and left tens of thousands displaced.
“Although Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, in demographic terms, the island of Flores is one of the few in the large archipelago that is majority Christian. Flores is considered one of the breadbaskets for vocations to the religious life in all of Indonesia”, explains Marco Bachmann, project director for the area at Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Fittingly, the Church has responded quickly, and come to the aid of the victims of this natural disaster. In a video message sent to ACN, Bishop Siprianus Hormat of Ruteng, one of the six dioceses in the Island of Flores, explained that “through the parishes and institutions of the Diocese, we immediately provided emergency assistance to the victims. We provided tents for those affected in various parishes, set up a booth for patients at Ruteng Regional Hospital, gathered assistance from various parties, and established relief posts.”
Local dioceses have also played a major role in collecting information for verification of data on affected victims, in coordination with government agencies; the implementation of mitigation efforts and, of course, the provision of spiritual and pastoral assistance.
ACN has projects with dioceses in Flores and, upon hearing of the terrible earthquake, which damaged dozens of thousands of homes and at least 75 churches and chapels, immediately established contact with project partners to determine what sort of assistance was needed.
As of now, ACN has committed to help the local Church meet the needs of those who were worst affected by the earthquake. “ACN is in direct contact with the bishops of the dioceses that have been most affected by the earthquake. Our charity has already approved help for the dioceses of Ruteng and Labuan Bajo for the distribution of essential goods, such as clothes, medicines and food. We are committed to also help the other impacted dioceses”, said Bachmann.
“In the future, ACN will evaluate requests for the reconstruction of churches, and eventually other structures belonging to the church or religious congregations,” he added.
“Alongside material aid, we are providing psychological support through trauma-healing activities for victims, particularly affected children. These activities involve diocesan priests, religious brothers and religious sisters,” said the Bishop of Ruteng. “No less important is spiritual strengthening through pastoral visits, messages and prayer sessions with the earthquake victims.”
The disaster has also raised painful questions of faith, the bishop acknowledged: “Where is God? Why did He allow the earthquake to happen?” Drawing on his visits to dozens of disaster sites and his meetings with victims, he added: “It is deeply moving to witness how their tears of sorrow slowly transform into the dawn of hope. God always cares. His steadfast love never ceases.”
Bishop Hormat concluded with an appeal: “I ask for your prayers and assistance. May God shower His blessings upon the victims, and upon all.”
The earthquake in Indonesia comes fast on the heels of two other natural disasters, both in South America. In June, a double earthquake caused severe damage and a high death toll in Venezuela, and in August Colombia was also struck by a quake that caused structural and humanitarian damage.
