The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) on Dec. 4 has expressed its solidarity with the fishing community and offered prayers for the families affected by the Ockhi cyclone which has caused extensive damage and resulted in deaths.
"We offer our condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives and we wish to comfort those who have been afflicted by pain and suffering caused by the devastating hurricane in the past few days," said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general, CBCI.
At least 32 poor Catholic fishermen who were out fishing, and over 200 were missing.
The CBCI statement said 10,000 people from the coastal regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have relocated to relief camps by Dec. 4. About 560 houses were completely devastated and more than 1,500 houses partially damaged.
Cyclone Ockhi battered Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep coasts during the last week. Now, the first tropical storm of the season has moved towards north Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The CBCI has also requested the churches across the country to hold special prayer sessions on Dec. 10 for the suffering people. It has also urged people to offer financial and material support through the respective dioceses.
Caritas India, the Catholic Church's unit of aid is working along with the government officials to offer relief to the victims.
