wfn.org | ACNS Episcopalians mobilize in Katrina's aftermath

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 4028     |     USA     |	  02 SEPTEMBER 2005

Episcopalians mobilize in Katrina's aftermath

[Episcopal News Service - Matthew Davies and Jan Nunley]
Episcopalians are working tirelessly to assess and respond to the
destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, a category four hurricane that
ripped through the Gulf Coast August 29, leaving at least 120 people
dead and countless more displaced and homeless.
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, in an August 31 message to all bishops,
clergy and congregations, called for "a community united in prayer and
service during this time."

"At this time let us be exceedingly mindful that bearing one another's
burdens and sharing one another's suffering is integral to being members
of Christ's body," Griswold said in his statement. "I call upon every
member of our church to reach out in prayer and tangible support to our
brothers and sisters as they live through these overwhelming days of
loss and begin to face the difficult challenges of the future." [Full
statement at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_64601_ENG_HTM.htm]

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) responded immediately by sending
emergency funds to the Dioceses of Central Gulf Coast, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Western Louisiana to support immediate needs such as
food, shelter and medical supplies.

Robert Radtke, president of ERD, described the hurricane's devastation
as "tsunami-like."

"Authorities are locating people, rescuing them from houses, from
rooftops," he said. "But our main concern is taking care of those
persons who have been displaced or have lost their homes and everything
they have."

The people most affected in any natural disaster are the poor, Radtke
explained. "The people who have resources can get out of harm's way," he
said. "Our priority is people living in poverty -- we're looking after
the people who've been most drastically affected by this."

"We're like a deer caught in the headlights," said Bishop Charles
Jenkins of Louisiana, by phone from temporary offices at St. James'
Church in Baton Rouge. "We've lost at least 18 churches. The diocesan
offices didn't flood until today, but I understand they had already been
looted. New Orleans is a city with many poor people, and there's a lot
of civic unrest.

"But we've had calls from dioceses all over the country offering help,
and ERD has been a tremendous aid to us," he added. "This is the church
at its best -- pulling together and helping each other through hard
times."

Bishop Bruce MacPherson of Western Louisiana explained that his diocese
has taken on thousands of evacuees during the past 72 hours. "A number
of our congregations are providing care for some of these people, and we
have about 200 people from nursing homes and individual families housed
at our diocesan camp and conference center," he said. "The latter are
being provided with rooms and meals, with many sleeping in group
cottages."

In Mississippi, many churches are a "total loss," explained diocesan
communicator Lauren Auttonberry. "We have lost the structures for many
of our coast area churches," she said. "St. Peter's by-the-Sea suffered
extensive damage, although some of the walls are still standing. St.
Mark's, Gulfport, Christ Church, Bay St. Louis, and Redeemer, Biloxi are
a total loss."

Bishop Duncan Gray of Mississippi described the disaster as one of
"unprecedented proportions."

"Long time residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast have noted that the
damage and facilities from the storm will far exceed that of Hurricane
Camille in 1969," he said. "Thousands have lost their homes and those
holy places of worship to which they have instinctively gone in times of
crisis. Unconfirmed reports have indicated that at least six Episcopal
Churches have been totally destroyed with serious damage to many others.
It is a time of deep shock and grief and tears."

"And it is a time of hope," Gray added, citing the hundreds of
Episcopalians from throughout the country who have called offering help
in various forms. The diocese received $25,000 immediate relief funds
from Episcopal Relief and Development.

"A list of coast-area clergy and their status is currently being
compiled," Auttonberry said, urging those with information on any of the
churches and their clergy to call the diocesan office at 601.948.5954 or
email allinhouse@dioms.org.

Further information and details on how to send donations are available
from the Diocese of Mississippi website at http://www.dioms.org.

Bishops Jenkins, Gray and Philip Duncan of Central Gulf Coast have
instituted a daily conference call to coordinate relief efforts between
their three dioceses.

ERD has responded with preliminary support of $50,000 to the Diocese of
Louisiana. "While full details of the devastation continue to unfold, a
complete needs assessment is underway," said Malaika Kamunanwire, ERD's
director of communications and annual fund. "The funds will support
immediate needs for basic payroll, food, shelter, medical supplies, and
additional needs for all affected."

A grant of $20,000 has been sent from ERD to the Diocese of Central Gulf
Coast. "These funds will be directed toward helping vulnerable
populations whose homes were either destroyed or severely damaged by the
storm," Kamunanwire said. "The diocese is also in the process of
assessing the damage and its responses, but these initial funds will
help resource parishes that are helping to meet emergency housing and
sustenance needs in their communities."

ERD is also sending a grant of $7,500 to assist the Diocese of Western
Louisiana as it provides care for thousands of evacuees. ERD stands
ready to continue support as additional needs emerge.

To make a contribution to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina,
please donate to the US Hurricane Fund by credit card at
http://www.er-d.org/
or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129.
Gifts can be mailed to:
Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o US Hurricane Fund, PO Box 12043,
Newark, NJ 07101.

Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and
development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An
independent 501(c) 3 organization, ERD saves lives and builds hope in
communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times
of crisis and rebuild after disasters. We enable people to climb out of
poverty by offering long-term solutions in the areas of food security
and health care, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.

For the latest news and information from ENS on Hurricane Katrina,
visit:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_64690_ENG_HTM.htm

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