austraLasia #1821

"Knocked down, but never killed...": WYD Cross repeats ancient story in battered Gizo

GIZO (Solomon Islands): 18th April 2007 -- Badly damaged but not destroyed, the Cathedral at Gizo, a symbol of hope amongst destruction wrought by the recent Tsunami, has played its part as backdrop to the arrival of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Mary on 16th April.  It was fitting that these symbols of hope should arrive when they did - amidst the buzzing of US Skyhawk helicopters delivering food, and in the wake, almost literally, of the first Don Bosco-inspired relief ship.
    The one surviving icon on the facade of Gizo Cathedral was the glass cross, and the newly arrived WYD Cross was raised slowly before it, 14 days after the tsunami had raced through the town. With 52 dead, many still missing and thousands homeless, the underlying mood was sombre, but the Cross's arrival brought excitement and relief. "We welcome the Cross and Mary his Mother who stood by the Cross in his moment of suffering and death", said Bishop Bernard O'Grady.  He later delivered a powerful homily linking the symbols of cross, icon, earthquake and tsunami.
    The same youth who have been carrying the Cross around the devastated parts of western Solomons were those who were also carrying food supplies and cleaning up the signs of devastation.  Caritas organisation has followed up the 'Don Bosco' ship with a second ship, the MV Ability. It left Honiara on Friday April 13th with 30 tonnes of supplies.  The US Navy has helped out with movement of people and materials, and doctors from Ecuador are shortly due to arrive.  The focus is now beginning to shift from food to rehabilitation, rebuilding and other assistance.
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