KNXT Pastoral Message, March 2005
By Bishop John T. Steinbock
My dear people of God,
The Tsunami Disaster is without a doubt the greatest natural tragedy that any of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. Through the medium of modern communications we came face to face with the almost instant death of over 150 thousand men, women and children, and the suffering of thousands upon thousands who lost their loved ones. Over 50,000 young children were swept away and tens of thousands left orphaned. Our hearts went out to the people suffering in the areas struck by the Tsunami in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. It certainly manifested our global solidarity, and our love and care for those in need no matter what one’s race or religion.
I am overwhelmed by the response of the people of God here in the Diocese of Fresno. We have sent in over $502,405.53 to the Catholic Relief Society to help the victims of the Tsunami tragedy.
The Catholic Relief Society has pledged $80 million dollars in tsunami assistance now and over the next few years to rebuild lives and communities in the stricken areas. The Catholic Faithful has responded so generously not only here in the United States but throughout the world. The Pontifical Council Cor Unum in Rome has announced that Catholic agencies throughout the world have collected $500 million dollars both for emergency aid and for long-term projects in the affected countries. Only three countries in the world have given as much as this for Tsunami Relief: Australia, Germany and Japan.
We can never understand fully evil and suffering in this world. The hurt and pain is just as great for parents if only one child dies needlessly or with great suffering. We only know that our God loves us and sent his own Divine Son into this world to share our suffering and pain and to show us how to respond when we are touched by the evil and suffering of this world—with trust and faith in a loving God, and to respond with love.
For those who do not believe in God no explanation for evil is possible; for those who believe in a loving God no explanation is necessary. The power of God for us is not suspending the laws of nature, which He himself made, but in the power of his love to forgive our sins and to raise us up to eternal life. We simply trust in God’s love and respond to those in need with compassion and love, and you the people of God throughout our Diocese have certainly done this through your compassion and generosity.
May God bless you and your families as we continue our journey through Lent, reflecting on the mystery of suffering in the life of our Lord and Savior. God bless you all very, very much.