Bishops appeal for aid for Mindanao quake victims

CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles urged the public to aid those who need help in North Cotabato and nearby areas. (File Photo By User:Patrickroque01 – Taken using my own camera with model DSC-HX5V, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday appealed to the faithful in Luzon and Visayas to help the victims of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit parts of Mindanao.

CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Valles urged the public to aid those who need help in North Cotabato and nearby areas.

“May people who are from the outside, reach out to the suffering communities and give them aid according to what they need,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The Davao bishop also offered prayers to the victims and their families and all those affected by the natural calamity.

“Almighty Lord, source of comfort and strength in this time great difficulty and sorrow for many people and many communities in the area at Mindanao that was hit by the earthquake,” he said.

“Please, in your own mysterious way, touch them and be there for them.

Strengthen their faith in you and strengthen their trust in one another being united and taking care of each other,” the CBCP head added.

At least five people died and many others were injured when the southern part of Mindanao was jolted by the earthquake on Wednesday night.

On the other hand, no major damage has been reported on churches in the region.

Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said the cathedral and other churches under the diocese remain structurally sound.

“No major damages to our cathedral and other churches. Commercial building and other infrastructures in Kidapawan and other towns were moderately affected,” Bagaforo said in an article posted on the CBCP news website.