wfn.org | ANTIGUA: CHRISTIANS SUPPORT MONTSERRAT VOLCANO VICTIMS

[Audrey Whitefield <a.whitefield@quest.org.uk>]

Oct. 21, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London., England

[97.10.1.2]

ANTIGUA: CHRISTIANS SUPPORT MONTSERRAT VOLCANO VICTIMS

(ALC) Christian Churches in the Caribbean island of Antigua, only 60
kilometres away from the volcano ravaged island of Montserrat, have
rallied to the support of the 4,500 residents still living mainly in
shelters in the shrinking safe zone on the island and the 3,000 who have
taken refuge in Antigua.

The Antigua Christian Council, grouping the historical Protestant
Churches and the Roman Catholic Church,  and the Evangelical Council
earlier this month formed a Disaster Emergency Relief and Welfare
Committee for Montserrat raising funds for refugees in Antigua through 
special collections in all churches on the island.  Each denomination
has two representatives on the broad-based ecumenical Committee.

RC Bishop of Antigua Donald Reece, a leading member of the Committee and
of the regional Caribbean Conference of Churches, says that the Antigua
Church groups have also coordinated diplomatic initiatives as well,
sending a protest letter to US President Bill Clinton concerning
rejections of visa applications for Monserratians applying to
temporarily stay with friends and family in the US. The US has responded
by relaxing the visa restrictions.

Earlier this week, the Montserrat volcano, which roared into activity
two years ago, spewed out new waves of ultra-hot rock, ash and life
threatening gases, completely destroying the sole airport on the 104 sq.
km island. Lava flows have already destroyed the capital Plymouth on
this once thriving tourist island of 11,000 inhabitants. The volcano has
already claimed up to 20 lives while the remaining inhabitants are now
crammed into the relatively safe northern part of the island.