Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has charged Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum with a message of solidarity and material help for the people affected by Hurrican Katrina in various parts of the United States of America especially in and around New Orleans. The Holy See press office said that on Saturday 10 September in Baton Rouge the Archbishop will meet the local Bishop Roberth Muench and the President of Catholic Charities USA, Rev. Larry Snyder.
During Mass in Baton Rouge cathedral on Sunday September 11 special prayers will be said for the victims of this natural disaster and, since it will be the 4th anniversary of the Twin Tower terrorist atttacks, for all victims of violence: the community in prayer will shoulder the burden of all human suffering in the light of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. In the afternoon in Baton Rouge after meeting Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Oreans and Bishop Thomas Rodi of Biloxi and the governor of Louisiana, the Holy See Delegation - which will include Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick, Archbishop Washington - will visit homeless people from Mississipi Delta and speak with some of the numerous people involved in the work of rescue and assistance.
On Monday 12 September after a meeting with local authorities there will be a press conference. In the afternoon Archbishop Cordes will visit Biloxi diocese in Mississipi. On Tuesday 13 he will go to Washington DC for a meeting with Federal authorities. He is expected to return to the Vatican on 14 September. The Pope asked Archbishop Cordes to carry out this mission to offer on his behalf spiritual and material solidarity to the hurricane victims and encourage Catholic institutions involved in emergency assistance and helping to prepare and hasten the time for rebuilding. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2005 - Righe 22; Parole 303)
