On behalf of the Irish diocese of Meath, Bishop Michael Smith, who heads the department of communication, finance and planning of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, recently announced a donation of 100,000 dollars for those struck by the tsunami disaster in south-east Asia. This money swells the funds raised by the national collection organized by Trocaire, the agency of the Irish bishops that deals with the development of third world countries. “I am happy said Msgr. Smith to announce that the diocese of Meath has made a donation of 100,000 dollars for the victims of the tsunami disaster”. The money will be handed over to the Apostolic Nuncio in Thailand, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio who was guest of the diocese of Meath during the period in which he served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin between 1994 and 1998. “Ever since then we have maintained close links with him”, said the bishop, “Monsignor Pennacchio now serves the Church as representative of the Holy Father in Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia and in this role works closely with churches, religious communities and Caritas”. During recent days the Nuncio visited Myanmar to meet local bishops: “unfortunately this country was largely ignored abroad in terms of post-tsunami aid”. Father Oliver Devine, priest of the diocese of Meath, will hand over the cheque for 100,000 dollars to him during a forthcoming visit to Myanmar.
