Preliminary Bushfires Response
We now have some details of the damage in our parish communities. More information will come in the next 24/48 hours:
- Two parishioners in the parish of Cobargo perished in the fire (which received media coverage).
- Four parishioners in the parish of Cobargo have lost houses.
- Two parishioners in the parish of Moruya have lost houses in the town and surrounds of Bodalla.
- Seven parishioners in the parish and school community of Batemans Bay have lost houses.
- The Church of Our Lady of the Princes Highway, Kiah, in the parish of Pambula has been lost.
- There has been loss of property in the parish of Bega, in the town and surrounds of Bemboka, but numbers are not clear at this stage.
- We are awaiting details from the communities of Jerangle, Batlow and Adelong. If you have additional information, then please communicate.
You will receive communications, too, from the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Education and CatholicCare. Let’s work together as best we can.
We are grateful to the Diocese of Wagga and the Order of Malta who are going to contribute financially to our relief work.
With every blessing and deep gratitude for people’s evident resilience, concern and practical love,
Father Anthony Percy,
Vicar General, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Thanks Fr Tony,
We keep all affected in our prayers.
My husband and I feel the love and support from our parish community following the loss of our 2 homes and livelihoods on our property west of Bodalla.
Jesus is carrying our cross.
Jenny and family, I have been keeping you in thought and prayer. Also others who lost so much. Hope to be down when safe. bless Fr Emil
Everyday I follow the huges fires burning in your country via the media.(BBC, CNN and Euronews)
It looks like an apocalyptic horrormovie. I pity the people who were killed and wounded, others who had to leave their houses and properties. Already 500 million animals cruelly killed by the fires, they say. And what is ahead?\Living in the Netherlands it seems far away, but this planet of us is not so big… all is connected. I am afraid for us all on mother Earth.
I pray that we all together find a way soon…this “day”… to solve our climatechange” problem”. Our pope Francis took the lead in Laudato Si, lets follow him in mind and actions, please! (I admire your firefighters who fight the fires day by day, week after week. May G’d help them to go on and may G’d inspire others to go help them).
My heart aches for those affected by the devastating bushfires. I pray for those who have lost their lives as well as their families. I pray for those who now face the future with nothing, but please know that you are surrounded in love and the prayers of many.