On Monday, February 26th, a massive earthquake hit our missions in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. In fact, the 7.5 quake was centered right in the Diocese of Mendi where our Capuchin missionaries live and work. Everything shook violently for almost five minutes, causing landslides, toppling towers, shaking buildings off their moorings, splitting homes in two. Reports are still scarce, but the ones we are receiving and the photos we are getting make it clear that this is catastrophic. One government official stated this is the worst natural disaster to ever hit Papua New Guinea.
Although they have been shaken, our Capuchin missionaries are already in full-response mode. One missionary said, "My house is destroyed, but I've got to help my people and then start thinking about how to start over in the parish."
Our Capuchin Seraphic Mass Association has supported the missionaries since they first entered the area in 1956. We will be with them throughout this relief and rebuilding effort. The earthquake and the destruction it wrought have been massive, and the need for our assistance will also be massive.
The people of the Southern Highlands and the missionaries who serve them need your help. Any contribution will help enable our Capuchin missionaries to comfort the suffering, provide relief to those in need, and begin the long process of repairing and rebuilding schools, clinics, chapels, priests' houses, convents and parish churches. The devastation is enormous.
Please follow this link to help our Capuchin missionaries and the people they serve.