Religious leaders led by example as they joined the drive to help victims of Tropical Storm ‘Ondoy’,  with the Vatican sending $35,000 to Caritas Manila and the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Movement pledging P5 million initially intended for the group’s anniversary celebration to the cause.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Edward Adams said the $35,000 came from the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Papal agency in charge of charitable works of the Vatican, for the poor family victims in different dioceses.

Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, lauded Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales for airing his call to action last Sunday so that members of the Church can find it in their hearts to share their blessings at this time of great hardship.

“The call to action of the Cardinal needs a pro-active response not only among Catholics but to all Filipinos of goodwill to make a difference in the lives of the victims. Now is the moment to experience a kairos, an opportune time to witness charity with our time, talent and treasure,” he said.

The Embassy of Taiwan also gave Euro 10,000 to the Nunciature for the relief operations of Caritas Manila.

At the JIL, church leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva declared that the group will be holding simple services to pray for the victims, instead of a grand 31st anniversary celebration earlier scheduled.

The funds, amounting to roughly P5 million, will instead be diverted to relief operations for the typhoon victims.

The group has so far served 25,000 families in the wake of Ondoy’s onslaught.

Food aid

With relief assistance pouring in, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) is targeting the distribution of at least P30 million worth of sustainable relief packages to affected individuals to support families who lost properties and livelihood at the height of Ondoy.

In a press conference held at the CBCP Media Office in Manila yesterday, Sis. Roseanne Mallilin, SPC, head of the CBCP-NASSA, bared that they have mobilized their Social Action Directors (SADs) in the Dioceses of Antipolo, Malolos, Cavite, Laguna, and Pampanga to identify possible beneficiaries of 10,000 sustainable relief packages consisting of items that can help families start afresh after the  onslaught of disaster.