On remote Indian island, cathedral grounds become refugee camp

Published: 2005-01-05

PUNE, India (CNS) -- The cathedral grounds in India's Port Blair Diocese have become a camp for some 1,300 people displaced by the tsunami disaster, said the local bishop. Bishop Aleixo das Neves Dias of Port Blair said the diocese has been directing the distribution of food, clothing and medicine at the cathedral in Port Blair, receiving little help from the government, which is operating several other camps for the displaced in the beleaguered region. In a Jan. 3 telephone interview, the bishop said that government officials have toured the cathedral grounds, "but since the victims are housed in our property, we have taken over running of the relief camp with food, clothing and medicines." Priests, nuns and other volunteers were looking after the displaced. The bishop said the church had tried to supply a sense of normalcy for the displaced, erecting a giant television screen for the people to watch.

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