Nepal and Tibet: Churches offer prayers and practical help after the catastrophic floods

Image: Christian Aid

Source: Vatican Media, WCC, CAFOD, Christian Aid

Churches around the world have been praying for everyone caught up in the catastrophic floods that struck Nepal and Tibet last week.

In a message sent on Thursday Pope Leo expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and widespread destruction. He commended the souls of those who died "to the clemency of the Almighty" and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved. He also assured those affected by the disaster of his spiritual closeness and prayed for the emergency personnel engaged in ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

The Vatican announced on Saturday that Pope Leo through the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, had sent financial assistance to Caritas Nepal to help meet the most urgent needs of people affected by the disaster.

In coordination with the Apostolic Nunciature of Nepal, the Pope's contribution is supporting Caritas Nepal, which operates under the direction of the Apostolic Vicariate, in its relief efforts. These began in the first hours following the disaster and include providing food, basic necessities, and shelter to people who have lost everything.

During the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo assured those affected by the devastating flooding in Nepal and Tibet of his prayers. He invited the faithful to pray for those who have died, the injured and missing, their families, and the rescuers involved in the ongoing emergency response.

"May everyone's concern and commitment help to alleviate suffering and bring the necessary assistance to the affected populations."

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay expressed profound sorrow over the catastrophic flash floods.

He said: "We have followed the reports with shock and sadness. several hundred people have died, with the toll still rising, and close to a thousand more - residents, security personnel, hydropower and border workers, and hundreds of foreign pilgrims and travellers from many nations - remain missing or unaccounted for," wrote Pillay in a pastoral letter sent to the Christian Conference of Asia. "Many more have been injured, displaced, or have lost their homes, land, and livelihoods."

Whole villages, bridges, roads, and places of pilgrimage have been swept away in a matter of minutes.

"Our hearts are heavy, and we hold this tragedy before God in lament," wrote Pillay. "We grieve with you."

Many families are still waiting for news of the missing: a parent, a child, a pilgrim son or daughter, a foreign traveller far from home. "We pray that search and rescue teams may yet bring answers, and that God's presence may hold you through the anguish of not knowing," Pillay wrote. "To the injured, and to those who have lost their homes, their land, their animals, and their livelihoods in these remote mountain valleys, we assure you that you are not alone and not forgotten, however far from the world's attention your villages may seem."

Pillay expressed solidarity with the government and people of Nepal, with the National Council of Churches of Nepal and its member churches, and with the WCC's ecumenical partners across the region, including the Christian Conference of Asia.

"We also hold in our prayers the communities across the border in the Tibet Autonomous Region, who share with us in this same disaster and this same sorrow," he wrote. "We give thanks to God for the courage and endurance of the first responders - the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police; the pilots and crews of the helicopters that have flown into treacherous mountain terrain; and the volunteers, health workers, local leaders, and ordinary neighbours who, often at great personal risk, have searched the debris, carried the wounded, and comforted the grieving."

Pillay urged that the people and communities of remote mountain valleys must never be neglected. "We encourage our member churches, and all people of faith and goodwill, to act together in response to the needs of these communities, building on the God-given agency present in every person," Pillay wrote. "May our response help rebuild trust - trust in one another, trust in our shared humanity, and ultimately, openness to faith and trust in God."

Relief operations are continuing as the death toll in the affected regions rises, with more than 939 people confirmed dead and at least 3,925 still missing.

CAFOD and Christian Aid are among the charities working with partners in the disaster area.

For more information and to support their work through prayers and donations, see: https://cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/flash-floods-in-nepal. and www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/nepal-floods-appeal