Catholic leaders across the country have expressed solidarity with communities affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off Sarangani on June 8, pledging prayers, relief assistance, and support for recovery efforts.
The powerful quake, which occurred at 7:37 a.m., left at least 32 people dead and more than 100 injured across several provinces in Mindanao. It also caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, roads, and churches, while disrupting electricity in many affected areas.
In a message aired over Radio Veritas, Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila offered prayers for the victims and assured affected communities of the Church’s support.
“With deep sorrow, I join our brothers and sisters in General Santos City and the surrounding communities who have been affected by the recent earthquake,” Advincula said.
He also called on the faithful and people of goodwill to extend assistance to families struggling in the aftermath of the disaster.
“In these difficult moments, may we draw strength from our faith and from the solidarity of one another,” he said. “I also encourage all people of goodwill to extend whatever assistance they can to those in need.”
Advincula likewise prayed for displaced families and for the safety of rescue workers and local authorities conducting ongoing relief and retrieval operations.
Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu echoed the appeal for spiritual support, urging the faithful to remember the victims and responders in their prayers.
“Let us keep all the victims, their families, and rescue workers in our prayers,” Uy said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Leo Dalmao of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan directed parishes to conduct a second collection during Masses on June 14, with proceeds to be coursed through Caritas Philippines for relief operations.
“The prelature joins the nation in prayer for the victims, the injured citizens, displaced families, and those people in the frontline,” Dalmao said.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local partners to assess the needs of affected communities as relief and recovery efforts continue.
