austraLasia 977
Thailand: the situation there as seen by Fr Theparat
Pitisant, the new Provincial
BANGKOK: 29th December '04 -- We would normally speak of a 'baptism of fire'. We all know that
the situation for Fr Theparat, as he takes up his new role as provincial of the
Thai province precisely at this time, has been a baptism of another kind.
He writes:
"At present, the casualty toll from Sunday's
catastrophe in the six southern provinces of Thailand has shot up to 1,543
deaths and 8,950 injuries. The toll is going up everyday as new bodies are
showing up. All the stricken provinces are in the Salesian diocese of Surathani
where 19 Salesians are working. However, no Salesians are among the
casualties."
"The newly appointed
Salesian bishop of Surathani, Joseph Prathan, has set up a relief centre to help
the victims. The centre works in close cooperation with the government and other
private agencies. Fr. Tito Pedron, the Rector of the Salesian studentate, and
the Brothers from there are now in the stricken area to provide assistance
to injured victims. The Salesians and the Sisters of the Immaculate heart
of Mary, a Congregation founded by a Salesian, work hand in hand at the relief
centre. They go out everyday to different affected areas to provide relief
aid."
"Bishop Prathan told me
through telephone contact that the consumer goods donated by the public
was sufficient and even exceeded the local demand. What the people need now
is cash or construction materials. Another urgent need is for interpreters
since many victims are foreign nationals. Few local people can communicate with
them."
The Salesian province of
Thailand has donated an amount of money to Bishop Prathan for
the relief
operations and is asking all the Salesian institutions to raise funds amongst
the students and parents to help restore the devastated
provinces."
"Bishop Prathan, through his
inspection of the areas, found one village ravaged by the massive tidal
waves that seemed to be overlooked by the state agencies. So, he has
taken up the responsibility to help restore this village through reconstruction
of school and houses. Donations, therefore, are needed for the
restoration of this village. Those who wish to help Bishop Prathan can send
donations directly to him or through Salesian Provincial House,
Thailand.
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