In January Puerto Rico suffered a series of earthquakes, the highest being a magnitude of 6.4, that leveled towns on the southern coast of the island.
On visiting the damaged area, Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves of San Juan witnessed the natural disaster’s human toll, as well as the property damage. After seeing so many people without food and left homeless, he said to a reporter, in a message to people on the U.S. mainland, “If you are able to make monetary donations to assist in the relief effort – I’m speaking mainly of food and shelter – that would be a big help.”
The people of the Diocese of Camden responded generously to a special parish collection.
In a letter to the diocese’s pastors requesting the collection, Bishop Dennis Sullivan wrote, “The funds collected in this appeal will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, as they and their member agencies respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter and medical care, as well as to the long term need to rebuild and recover after the widespread destruction.
“We, here in New Jersey,” he added, “have been the beneficiaries of such aid in the past, especially in the after effects of Super Storm Sandy.”
In a recent letter to Bishop Sullivan, Archbishop Gonzalez expressed his gratitude for donations from the diocese that totaled $54,436.49.
“Your fraternal solidarity and friendship are a blessing, which we receive with humility and gratitude!” he wrote. “Please also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the faithful in Camden. Be assured of my prayers and fraternal affection.”
The archbishop added a handwritten note to the letter to emphasize his gratitude and feeling of Christian solidarity. “I am speechless by your thoughtfulness and the generosity of the people of your Diocese of Camden,” he wrote.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
