Diocese of Biloxi receives $4 million in donations, aid

Published: 2005-10-12

BILOXI, Miss. (CNS) -- In just a week's time the Diocese of Biloxi received a $1 million donation to help rebuild churches and schools damaged by Hurricane Katrina and a $3 million grant from Catholic Charities USA to help the diocese with humanitarian needs in its long-term recovery efforts. Within the diocese, 10 churches were destroyed or gutted; 10 others suffered major damage. Six Catholic schools were destroyed and others suffered major damage. "These are dark days but there are a lot of lights shining brightly," Bishop Thomas J. Rodi said Oct. 7 at a press conference at the diocesan pastoral center after receiving a $1 million donation from philanthropist and businessman Joseph C. Canizaro. "We have suffered much loss because of the destruction and damage inflicted by the fury of Hurricane Katrina," the bishop said. "Despite our losses, there is a strong spirit of determination to rebuild our communities so that they are even better than before."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .