c. 2005 Religion News Service
WASHINGTON _ Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington plans to personally take a message of spiritual hope to families who have lost loved ones to the tsunami in Southeast Asia.
The cardinal said he will fly to Sri Lanka with Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), on Jan. 11 to visit with aid workers and pray with people. McCarrick emphasized the need for the Catholic Church in the United States to respond to the crisis during a homily Sunday.
“We are all children of the same God,” said McCarrick. “There’s no reason we cannot reach out to our sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka and Sumatra. They belong to us and we belong to them.”
The 400 people who attended Sunday’s Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington took part in a special collection for the victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami. McCarrick also asked the 140 parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington to hold a special collection to support CRS’ aid efforts.
As the international humanitarian organization of the Catholic Church in the United States, Baltimore-based CRS has committed $25 million in aid for tsunami relief. CRS staff in Sri Lanka report immediate needs for fresh drinking water, medicine, clothing, soap and shelter.
But McCarrick reminded parishioners that the needs in the devastated coastal areas extend beyond the physical.
“We are creatures of body and soul,” said McCarrick. “You can’t just take care of the body and ignore the soul. That’s why it’s important that a person like myself would go so that we can pray with them and awaken their hearts to God.”
Parishioners interviewed endorsed the effort.
Carrie Klinker said she believes those who have lost everything need to know that there’s a higher power.
“They need to know that there’s comfort in other places,” she said.
Katie Garlock said she was thrilled to learn that McCarrick is heading to Sri Lanka.
“This is Christ saying `take care of each other’ and it’s our job, it’s our role,” said Garlock
Jim Russo, a father of three, said he cannot comprehend the pain of parents who have lost children to a natural disaster. “I pray I never suffer it,” he said.
UNICEF has estimated that children account for more than one-third of tsunami deaths, and that there are likely thousands of separated children.
When asked what he would say to a grieving parent, McCarrick said he has only the truth to offer.
“We believe that this life is only a passing phase, that after death we have a happier life,” said McCarrick. “We come to live with God where there are no tears and there is no suffering. I think you have to hold that out. We really believe in faith that God waits for us.”
For those waiting back in Washington on a full report following the cardinal’s visit to Sri Lanka, Deacon Ulysses Rice said he hopes the cardinal’s effort will spur others to action.
MO/PH END RNS
