Parishes see little damage from strong earthquake in Hawaii

Published: 2006-10-16

HONOLULU (CNS) -- Initial reports indicated that there was little damage to Catholic parishes in Hawaii from a magnitude 6.7 earthquake Oct. 15. A note posted on the Diocese of Honolulu's Web site said that although "there are reports of possible structural damage to some of our structures," most parishes were fine. Power was restored to the diocesan chancery building at approximately 7:10 p.m., about 12 hours after the earthquake occurred, the note said. Pastors and administrators of the diocese's 61 parishes were asked to "report any problems or needs" to Bishop Clarence "Larry" Silva or Father Marc Alexander, vicar general. Although the earthquake and its aftershocks caused blackouts and landslides on the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, no fatalities were reported. The headquarters of the Honolulu Diocese is on Oahu Island, where about three-fourths of the state's population lives.

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