Pope Benedict XVI has donated US$30,000 toward relief work following devastating floods in several parts of China. The donation was handed to Jinde Charities, the national Shijiazhuang-based Catholic charitable organization, through the Vatican’s Christian and human development agency, Pontifical Council Cor Unum (one heart) on Aug. 21.
Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei province in northern China.
I’m very moved by the Pope’s concern for China and I’m sure the Chinese people feel the same way too, said Jinde vice-director Father John Ren Daihai.
“The love shown by the Pope offers great encouragement to all Jinde staff. We felt so excited and happy at the news of the donation. It will spur us on to do more and better,” he said.
The donation is for all people in need without any distinction, Cor Unum personnel said in a statement.
“The Pope mourned deeply for the many victims of the disastrous floods in China, especially in Gansu province. He offered his prayers for their souls, their relatives and all the survivors who have suffered painful consequences,” the Cor Unum statement said.
An Aug. 8 mudslide in Zhouqu county, northwestern Gansu province, claimed 1,248 lives, and more than 400 people are still missing.
About a dozen Catholics died in that disaster, according to an “underground” priest who used to serve in Zhouqu.
Another mudslide in Gongshan county in Yunnan province on Aug. 18 saw four Catholic families lose several family members.
SIC: CTH/IND