South Korean Cardinal His Eminence Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop of Seoul, expressed the condolence and closeness of his faithful for the dead and survivors of Indonesia’s natural disaster in Central Sulawesi province. As a token of the Archdiocese’s closeness for the affected people, the Cardinal has donated a sum of $ $50,000 in emergency relief funds to the Indonesian Church’s relief efforts for the survivors. The “One Body One Spirit” (OBOS) movement of Seoul Archdiocese will channel the fund through Caritas Internationalis.
As reported by Vatican news, His Eminence Cardinal Yeom in a message to the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia (KWI) wrote “I am deeply saddened by the news that so many were deceased, injured, and affected by the deadly earthquake and tsunami which struck Indonesian Island of Sulawesi.” He said he was praying for the eternal rest on the deceased and God’s consolation and blessing for those who suddenly lost their beloved family. Further, the Cardinal added, “I, as well as all priests and faithful in Archdiocese of Seoul will pray for all people of Indonesia to get over the tragic disaster and get back to the daily life as soon as possible.”
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake and a devastating tsunami it triggered hit the western coastal region of the province, killing 1,407 people as of 3rd October, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The agency said the death toll is likely to increase as rescue teams reach out to remote areas. Thousands are injured and more than 70,000 are displaced.
