Press Releases30 Dec 04

Bishop Miller explains how Bishops' Appeal and others are supporting disaster victims and asks for 'focused prayers'

BISHOP HAROLD MILLER EXPLAINS HOW BISHOPS' APPEAL AND OTHERS ARE HELPING DISASTER VICTIMS AND ASKS FOR 'FOCUSED PRAYER'

Thursday 30 December 2004

In a statement issued today the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt Revd Harold Miller, explained how the Church of Ireland Bishops' Appeal and other aid agencies are tackling the crisis in South East Asia.

He said: "The disaster caused by the South Asia Earthquake has grown much larger than any of us could initially have imagined. Tsunamis, with inadequate warning systems, have literally sent a hundred thousand people to their death. And, if something is not done quickly, the great danger is that as many again might die of disease.

"All of this happened as we celebrated Christmas, many of us in the comfort and security of our own homes. We viewed the fear, despair and hopelessness of others on news bulletins between our favourite Christmas movies and entertainment programmes. That has heightened for many of us the awfulness of the situation, and made us determined to do something quickly about it.

"Thankfully, the churches and aid agencies have responded with a sense of immediacy. The Church of Ireland Bishops' Appeal have launched a special fund for South Asia; Black Santa has been back on the steps of Belfast Cathedral in the days after Christmas, and an aid agency like Tearfund has already sent a large sum of money to its partners who are in place in the South of India and in Sri Lanka.

"I have had several phone calls from people who want to help. One of these was from a person who is planning to support the Anglican Church in Bangkok, through CMS Ireland, in the relief work they have begun at Phuket. The immediate response will be to airfreight a container of clothes from early next week. The collection point will be Seapatrick Parish Church. A practical response has already begun.

"The Anglican Church in South East Asia has particularly asked for focused prayer around the world this coming New Year's weekend, for those caught up in this disaster. On one level, prayer comes naturally when we see so many people in such pain. But please do pray in a focused way over the coming days. We cannot reverse the horror of what has happened but, if we both pray and give practically we can make a very real difference to the lives of those who are suffering after one of the worst disasters we have seen in our lifetime."