IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Luis Rolando Sanchez, CRS
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN
CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis sent condolences to Guatemala after a horrific
volcanic eruption left more than 60 people dead.
In a
June 5 telegram addressed to Archbishop
Nicolas Thevenin, apostolic nuncio of Guatemala, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state,
said the pope was “profoundly grieved upon learning the sad news of the
violent eruption of the ‘Volcan de Fuego’ (‘Volcano of Fire’).”
The June 3
eruption buried entire towns in a thick blanket of ash and debris, causing
hundreds to flee the toxic fumes. Although the death toll was at 69 people June
5, authorities believed many more may still be buried under the volcanic rubble.
According
to the Vatican newspaper, “L’Osservatore Romano,” Guatemala’s
National Institute of Forensic Studies said only 17 victims had been identified
as of June 5. Scientists will have to rely on DNA to identify victims
disfigured by burning embers and hot lava.
Firefighters
and volunteers were forced to use wooden planks to walk around after the soles
of their shoes were melting because of the intense heat, CNN reported June 5.
Pope
Francis offered “prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased and for all
who suffer the consequences of that natural disaster.”
Cardinal
Parolin said Pope Francis hoped that families mourning the loss of their loved
ones may be consoled and expressed “his spiritual closeness to the wounded
and those who work tirelessly in helping the victims.”
Meanwhile, Catholic
agencies and parishes quickly responded after the eruption by providing shelter
and emergency supplies.
“People
here in Escuintla have lost everything, family members, homes, crops, their
animals,” Luis Rolando Sanchez, Catholic Relief Services’ emergency
coordinator for Latin America, said in a message to agency staff in Baltimore.
He said
residents from the affected communities had “lined up all day” June 4
at shelters and collections centers for food and basic needs. “Many of
them were missing family members,” he said.
“More
help will be needed in coming days, especially once we know the extent of the
impact,” Sanchez continued. “At one of the shelters, the number of
people had doubled by Monday night (June 4) and the number of deaths is
increasing. Affected communities face the drama of losing family.
“I
talked to a woman with three daughters, one of them a newborn barely 27 days
old. They, along with her three nieces, survived. Her sister and husband were
buried in the eruption. There will be many orphans and widows,” Sanchez
said.
CRS
continued to work with government and local responders as well as Caritas
Guatemala, he added.
The agency
is accepting donations for the emergency through an online site: https://support.crs.org/donate/guatemala-volcano?utm_source=how-to-help&utm_medium=earned-media&utm_campaign=guatemala-volcano.
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