U.S. parishes asked to take up collection for hurricane victims

Published: 2004-08-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. parishes have been asked to take up a special collection to aid Florida victims of Hurricane Charley. In a letter to bishops, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted the massive destruction of homes and businesses because of the Aug. 13 hurricane. "It is difficult to imagine the discouragement people must feel at seeing all that is familiar in their lives strewn around and unrecognizable," said Bishop Gregory, who heads the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. "A generous response and our collective assistance will be a sign of our mutual support and fraternity, and will allow Catholic Charities USA to work with the local diocesan Catholic Charities agencies in all of the affected dioceses in Florida, and if necessary in neighboring states, to provide what is most needed as soon as possible," the bishop said. His letter, released Aug. 26 in Washington, asked that the money collected be sent to the Hurricane Charley Relief Fund set up by Catholic Charities USA. Hurricane Charley hit portions of western Florida and cut across central Florida killing 27 people, destroying more than 12,000 homes and leaving another 19,000 homes with major damage.

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