Kottar Diocese Launches Emergency Relief for Tsunami Victims

Kanyakumari – Kottar Diocese in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu has launched emergency relief work among the tsunami victims in its coastal parishes, according to a pastoral letter from the diocesan bishop.

In his letter addressed to the parishioners of Kottar Diocese which was read out in the churches during the New Year Mass Bishop Leon Tharmaraj stated that of the 36 coastal villages, 30 had been badly affected by the tidal waves.

“A visit to any coastal village makes one sad to hear the heartrending weeping and wailing of the faithful. About 1,000 people believed dead… So far 837 bodies have been recovered and buried and still many are missing,” the bishop wrote.

The letter further said, “The tsunami has snatched away boats, fishing nets, fishing equipment, ration cards, certificates, passports, books and records of students besides razing two schools and two churches of the diocese.”

The priests of Kottar diocese, the youth, religious sisters and voluntary organizations have all joined hands in retrieving the dead while the public have helped the fishermen, irrespective of their caste and religious affiliations, the bishop said.

The visit of the Prime Minister to the coastal areas and of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu twice to Nagercoil, provided comfort to the people, Bishop Tharmaraj said. Fishermen should take all measures to secure relief and rehabilitation provided by the government, he urged. “We have to plan and execute projects to rehabilitate the people in the camps. The tsunami has also had its severe impact on the inland fish workers who need relief measures during this season, as fish harvest has come to a standstill,” the bishop said.

“In this hour of great trial, we feel the grace and concern of our dear loving Lord that many humanitarian hearts and hands support us. We feel the enduring love of God in all the persons who help us in this trial, irrespective of caste, creed and faith. This humanitarian concern is a great solace to our hearts when people have borne heavy losses in terms of lives and property,” the pastoral letter said.

All the parishes in the dioceses conducted special Masses for the tsunami victims on January 2.