Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cagayan de Oro (Agenzia Fides) - The displaced people of Mindanao affected by the typhoon Sendong will not spend Christmas alone, in the centers set up for refugees. Instead they will be hosted by other families, in areas spared by the disaster, in an atmosphere of sharing and solidarity: this is what is reported to Fides by the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, His Exc. Mgr. Antonio J. Ledesma, talking about the initiative of the local church called "Adopt a family", "to relieve the pain, to console those who have lost their loved ones, home, hope". The diocese, which together with that of Iligan, covering the territory affected by the typhoon, has launched the project "Adopt a Family" by inviting all families to host, on Christmas Day, a family of displaced people. The initiative was an immediate success, even beyond the diocesan borders and the pastoral workers in Cagayan say they are confident that all the 7,000 displaced families "will find a table set up, a place of fraternal welcome, in the spirit of Christian love, a place where to spend Christmas".
Fr. Socretes Mesiona, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines, refers to Fides that he is "struck by the important signs of charity and solidarity that the Philippine population is showing in this painful moment" he says: "The Filipinos were waiting to celebrate Christmas, participating in the 'Misa de Gallo', the traditional novena which is celebrated at dawn. The anxious wait was suddenly changed into despair. Like a thief in the middle of the night, the typhoon struck mercilessly, destroying homes and submerging thousands of people. Help and support are urgently needed". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2011)
