MANILA (SE): Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announced in a January 18 statement that Pope Francis had sent €100,000 [$884,100] towards ongoing relief efforts for the victims of Super Typhoon Rai [Odette] that killed more than 400 people and has affected around seven million others, CBCPNews reported.
The dicastery noted that it is intended to be “an immediate expression of the Holy Father’s feeling of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement towards the people and territories affected” and that the fund is an initial contribution for the worst-hit dioceses and would be administered through the apostolic nunciature in Manila.
“This contribution, which accompanies the prayer in support of the beloved Filipino population, is part of the aid that is being activated throughout the Catholic Church and that involves, in addition to various episcopal conferences, numerous charitable organizations,” the dicastery added in its statement.
CBCPNews reported that as of January 12, the Church in the Philippines had already assisted more than 180,000 families affected by the typhoon.
