The Catholic Church in Seoul has mobilized $100,000 in emergency aid for communities hit by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia, as Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick called for sustained international support for survivors.
The archdiocese said Aug. 13 that the One Body One Spirit Movement and the Babo Nanum Foundation would each provide $50,000 for relief efforts through Caritas Internationalis following the Aug. 10 earthquake in western Colombia.
The two organizations will coordinate with the local Caritas organization on relief activities and continue providing assistance based on the needs of affected residents.
The One Body One Spirit Movement has also launched a special fundraising campaign through Sept. 18 to support emergency relief and recovery in affected areas.
The prelate expressed condolences to victims and their families and prayed for the injured and missing.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Colombia who, because of this unexpected disaster, suddenly lost family members and neighbors and now face threats to the very foundations of their lives,” he said.
“I pray that the Lord will receive into his merciful embrace those who died in this disaster and grant them eternal peace, and that he will comfort the grief of families who have lost their loved ones,” he added.
The archbishop also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and the safe return of those missing, adding that may God’s “consolation and peace be with all those who are living in fear and anxiety because of this sudden disaster.”
He also offered prayers for rescue workers, medical personnel and volunteers searching for survivors, treating the injured and helping secure and restore affected communities.
Chung urged continued international assistance as survivors begin rebuilding their lives. “I hope that solidarity and sharing, joining hands with one another, will continue so that the suffering caused by this great disaster may heal as soon as possible,” he said.
He also urged the international community to “continue to show sustained concern and provide assistance so that the people of Colombia can overcome their profound loss and hardship and rebuild the foundations of their lives.”
Chung said Catholics in the Seoul Archdiocese would continue praying for those affected by the disaster.
“Together with all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Seoul, I will pray for the victims, the bereaved families, the injured and all the people of Colombia affected by the disaster,” he said.
The prelate is also expected to send a letter of condolence to Archbishop Francisco Javier Múnera Correa, president of the Colombian bishops’ conference.
