Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Louisiana flood collection starts Aug. 27
Published: August 24, 2016
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is asking Arkansas parishes to join with those nationwide in taking up an emergency collection for Louisiana flood victims on Aug. 27-28 or Sept. 3-4. Repeated heavy rains in August have resulted in a 25-mile stretch of flooding in southern Louisiana making it the worst natural disaster in the United States since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Evacuees gather at a flood shelter in Baton Rouge, La. Aug. 14, 2016. Bishop Robert Muench of Baton Rouge visited several shelters throughout the area hit by extreme flooding. Photo courtesy Father Paul Yi of Catholic News Service
"From our own experience with natural disasters in Arkansas, we know the immediate and long-term recovery needs of the people in the flooded communities in Louisiana will be great and difficult to meet on their own," Bishop Taylor wrote in a letter to be read at all Masses. "In response, Catholics in all dioceses of our country, as the body of Christ, are being asked to respond with an emergency collection 'to support the humanitarian efforts of Catholic Charities USA and to provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted Catholic dioceses.'"
In some areas of East Baton Rouge Parish, as much as 2 feet of rain fell in 48 hours; in another, more than 31 inches of rain fell in 15 hours from Aug. 11-14, according to Catholic News Service. "Civil authorities reported that at least 13 people died in the floods and that about 60,000 homes were damaged, although a Baton Rouge economic development group put the number of damaged houses at 110,000. The Red Cross put the overall cost of recovery at $30 million."
"I know that you will respond generously with love to the needs of our hurting sisters and brothers in Christ in Louisiana in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, and for this I thank you. I also ask that you join me in continuing to lift up in prayer all who are facing the daunting task of recovering and rebuilding their lives and flood-ravaged communities," Bishop Taylor wrote Aug. 24. Read his letter in English and Spanish.
Donations may given at a parish or may be mailed directly to:
Louisiana Flood Relief
Finance Office
Diocese of Little Rock
P.O. Box 7239
Little Rock, AR 72217-7239
Published: Aug. 24, 2016
