HONG KONG (SE): Father Joseph Karam, a Lebanese missionary of the Community of the Beatitudes who stayed for a year in Hong Kong eight years ago, called on friends and faithful in Hong Kong for solidarity through prayers and support after the devastating explosion in Beirut on August 4.
The explosion was caused by detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for six years without safety measures at the port of the capital. The blast killed over 200 people and left many parts of the city in ruins as the portside warehouse sent devastating shockwaves inland. Around 6,000 people were injured and around 300,000 people were left homeless.
Father Dominique Mukonda, chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Commission, posted an interview with Father Karam on the YouthBoilingPoint (沸點) Facebook page 10 days after the explosion. Father Karam described the explosion as a shock and trauma to everyone in Beirut. “For days, people were not able to think. We could not see what was really happening,” he said.
He recalled that three hospitals were destroyed and, within a short period of time, all other hospitals were filled up and medical assistance was in short supply. Then he was busy going to the street, helping to remove the ruins and stones, and assisting the people in need. It was not until 10 days later that he took the time to look around to see the magnitude of destruction. “It is like the whole city has fallen,” he said.
The explosion has taken not only lives, but also livelihood away from the people. People need shelter even though other families have welcomed them to stay under the same house for some time. And then they need healthcare and food. They also need psychological and spiritual guidance after the trauma, as well as a job to help them get back to life.
However, Father Karam said that above all, the people in Beirut really need prayers. “The first thing is to pray for us. Your affections and prayers can actually help us. You may not see it, but we really need that so that we know we are not alone. This is a big deal,” he said.
He said people also need the monetary support from the international community, as the damage is huge. The first estimate from the government is US$15 billion ($117 billion).
He said the mission of the Church there is to be with the people, which is also the call of Pope Francis (Sunday Examiner, August 16). He said the priests of his community went to Beirut to stay with the victims almost every day after the incident even though their monastery is a bit far from the capital. “So that they may realise through our presence that Christ is suffering with them. He suffered, in order to suffer with us, He understands our suffering,” he said.
Father Karam said monasteries had opened their doors to the victims, but not many people came yet as the Lebanese are welcoming and their relatives have been glad to let them live together for a while. But he expects more people to come to the monasteries, as the victims cannot rely on the support of their relatives for a long time.
According to him, many organisations are sending missions to Lebanon to offer assistance. He participated in a meeting organised by Caritas International to discuss actions to be taken in the aftermath. The group invited only about 40 to 60 organisations, but in the end, 300 representatives from more groups attended as they volunteered to help.
Father Karam said that since last year, Lebanon has been faced a lot of crises due to political instability, inflation and the poor economy. But he finds reassurance in the very symbol of Lebanon, the phoenix, a mythical bird from Greek and Roman legends. The mythology has it that the phoenix rises from its own ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle. Father Karam believes that the installation of a new government would provide a chance for change.
“But this is not enough, we need a lot of changes; change in the whole system, a change in the democracy where leaders are chosen on the basis of their competence and not based on their religious beliefs or divisions,” he said.
Father Karam said although he had stayed only for a year in Hong Kong, he fell in love with the city and understood the feelings of Hong Kong people. He believes Hong Kong people should remember that God always shows his power on people who are small. “When we are self-sufficient, God has no space in our lives. But when we rely on him, God can do great things,” he said. “We need to have faith and be patient.”
Centre Marie Reine de la Paix of the Community of Beatitudes in Lebanon to which Father Joseph Karam belongs, seeks support to shelter families, rebuild houses as well as offer food and medical care.
Donations can be made in Hong Kong to “Queen of Peace’s Family Ltd.”, Bank of China a/c: 012-573-1-025236-0.
Tax exemption receipts shall be issued for donations over $100. Queen of Peace’s Family can be reached at evdejmj@gmail.com
