Europe’s embrace

“Deep participation in the grief of the beloved populations” struck by the earthquake in the Abruzzo and “fervent prayers for the victims, in particular the children”, were expressed by Benedict XVI in a telegram of condolence for the victims of the earthquake that struck the city of L’Aquila and the central Italian region of the Abruzzo in the early hours of Monday 6 April. The latest bulletin specifying the number of dead speaks of over 200 certified victims, but the death toll is destined to increase. Many children are among the victims. Following the extremely powerful quake on Monday night scores of aftershocks have been felt in the province of l’Aquila. Thousands have been left homeless. In response to these bare figures, which give some idea of the scale of the tragedy, Italy has immediately set in motion a great contest of solidarity, in the form of the many volunteers who have left for the scenes of the disaster, offers of accommodation and hotel rooms to provide hospitality for the homeless, and the freely-offered donation of blood for the injured. Many churches and convents have been damaged or destroyed in the quake. The victims also include a nun: Sister Gemma Antonucci, Mother Superior of the convent of the Poor Clares at Paganica. The Pope’s message. It was sent to the Archbishop of L’Aquila, Monsignor Giuseppe Molinari, through Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy See’s Secretary of State. “The dramatic news of the violent earthquake that shattered the territory of the aforesaid archdiocese – says the message – has filled the soul of the Supreme Pontiff with consternation. He charges Your Excellency to convey the expressions of his deep participation in the grief of the beloved populations struck by the tragic event. In assuring fervent prayers for the victims, in particular for the children, His Holiness invokes comfort for their families from the Lord and, while addressing affectionate words of encouragement to the survivors and all those who in various ways are sparing no effort in the rescue operations, he sends his special apostolic blessing to everyone”. The bishop’s account. Mgr. Giuseppe Molinari, Archbishop of L’Aquila, has told SIR with deep emotion of the dramatic moments experienced in the city together with his community on the night of 6 April. “We’re now camped out in the garden of a house on the outskirts of the town – he says -. I have brought with me some priests, sisters and seminarians. Thanks to God I wasn’t sleeping in my room at the time as I felt that the night was not so safe. With our sisters we prayed the rosary. They went to rest and I remained behind to tidy up some papers. I felt a strange pang of sorrow in my heart and I said to myself: ‘perhaps it’s better I get up'”. “I left immediately [after the quake] at half past three in the morning and since then have been unable to return”. The Archbishop also received the solidarity of the Holy Father Benedict XVI through the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr. Giuseppe Bertello, and of the Italian bishops, also through the Presidency of the Bishops’ Conference. Europe’s voice. A message of “close participation and prayer” has also arrived from the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe. It was sent by Cardinal Péter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and president of the CCEE (Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe). “In this circumstance of grief and suffering, Europe is called to be a sign of hope for all those who in an instant have lost not only the sacrifices and hard work of a lifetime, but also the affection of a relation, a neighbour, or a colleague at work. I urge those who have been struck by this disaster not to lose hope, and exhort all those in Europe who have the chance of giving a concrete sign of encouragement and solidarity to do so without hesitation, also through a financial contribution according to the procedures laid down by the ecclesial and civil institutions established for this service”. Solidarity has also been expressed by Hans-Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament. “I would like to express my profound grief to all those involved in this tragic event, in particular the province of L’Aquila – writes Poettering in his message -. On behalf of the European Parliament I send my heartfelt condolences and express my deep sympathy to the families of the victims and to the Italian people”. “Our hope is that human lives can be saved. We are close to the injured, the homeless and all those struck by this catastrophe”. For his part Javier Solana, external policy chief of the European Union, declares that “the EU is ready to intervene” with resources and material aid in favour of Italy. And the chairman of the European Economic and Social Committee, the Italian Mario Sepi, has intervened to urge recourse to the Solidarity Fund for Natural Disasters set up by the EU, because – he said – “in moments such as these Europe must give a clear political signal” and demonstrate that it is able to “bring an immediate solution to the urgent needs both of the populations and at the material level”.