Canada: Churches rally around victims of Alberta forest fires

As wildfires continue to blaze in northern Alberta, churches of all denominations across Canada have been offering prayers and helping relief efforts. More than 100,000 residents of Fort McMurray have fled the inferno - most have lost their homes completely.

In a statement, Bishop Paul Terrio, Bishop of St Paul said: "Even as we still are all in shock with the wildfire destruction and damage in Fort McMurray, let us give thanks to our Lord and God that, with some sixty to seventy thousand people evacuated from the community in a matter of hours, there has been no loss of life.

"Really, this in itself, constitutes a major achievement. I want to thank and to commend all the security and firefighting services, the public authorities but especially the good people of Ft McMurray. Once again, the people of Ft McMurray have rallied together and reached out to help and protect each other. Mayor Melissa Blake is so right when she says, 'We know how to hunker down'!

"In the days and months to come, as we learn of the full extent of the losses and damages, we shall all be called upon to continue and extend the tradition of families helping families and communities reaching out to communities to rebuild and resettle.

"It is rumoured that the St Paul Parish church on Signal Road in the Thickwood area was lost to the flames. With this and the many still un-identified losses of the whole Fort McMurray community I advise that this weekend at all Masses in the diocese, we shall take up a second collection as a first step for the relief effort and support of all those who lost their homes there.

"This fire disaster is a 'hard blow' at a time when Ft McMurray is already struggling under an adverse economic situation. But with our faith, our hope and our love for each other, we shall, as a young local evacuee said on Facebook last night, build a "better Ft McMurray."

Thousands of evacuees have been put up in sports and community centres since the crisis started. Two Catholic priests have been sent to St Catherine's parish in Lac la Biche to determine the needs of the people and how best to minister to them in the days ahead.

Archbishop Richard Smith of the neighbouring Edmonton archdiocese requested special collections at Masses over the May 7-8 and 14-15 weekends be taken up in support of the people of Fort McMurray. Edmonton parishes are also collecting goods and clothing to donate to displaced residents, many who escaped with only the clothes they were wearing. A call has also gone out for personal toiletries, diapers and bottled water.

Other dioceses are also stepping up, including the Archdiocese of Toronto, which is accepting donations to help victims. Donations can be made online at www.archtoronto.org, by call the Development Office at (416) 934-3411 or through parishes.

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, sent out a call to prayer for the people of the stricken city and pledged financial support. He said: "This is a terrifying time for the residents. I think particularly of how stressful this is for those who are critically ill and those who tend them under these very difficult circumstances."

The following message was conveyed by Mgr Luigi Bonazzi Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, to those affected by the fires.

"The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the destruction and distress caused by the extensive fires around Fort McMurray, and he assures you of his prayers for all the displaced, especially the children, who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

"He asks God to bless civil authorities and those coordinating evacuation and shelter for the homeless, as well as for strength and perseverance for all who are battling the fires.

Upon those affected by this ongoing disaster, the Holy Father invokes the Lord's blessing of patience faith and hope."

Sources: Dioceses of St Paul, Edmonton, Toronto, Vatican Press Office