Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By CNA Daily News - Europe (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Church in Spain mobilizes as severe flooding leaves more than 60 dead

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Spain has suffered what is considered the third worst natural disaster in the country’s recent history. / Credit: Courtesy of Caritas Spain

Madrid, Spain, Oct 30, 2024 / 16:15 pm (CNA).

Torrential rains have inundated southern and eastern Spain, leaving at least 66 people dead. In response, the Catholic Church has expressed its pain and condolences over the tragedy and Caritas has launched a special campaign.

The flash flooding is considered the third largest natural disaster in Spain’s contemporary history, which has primarily hit the territories of the Archdiocese of Valencia and the Dioceses of Cuenca and Albacete.

Only the 1996 flood in the town of Biescas in the Pyrenees, with 89 deaths, and the 1957 flooding of the Turia River, in which between an estimated 80 and 100 lives were lost, exceed the death toll confirmed to date.

The archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent, celebrated a Eucharist on Wednesday morning in the Basilica of the Our Lady of the Abandoned, the city’s patroness. During the homily, the prelate pointed out that “those most affected are those we must keep closest to our hearts, just as those who suffer the most are those who are closest to a mother’s heart.”

Benavent also asked “everyone to pray before the Blessed Virgin Mary, first of all, for those who have lost their lives in this great tragedy” and asked that their families and all those who have been affected be remembered.

Hundreds of people were forced to sleep outdoors after being caught in the great torrents of water while traveling in their private vehicles yesterday afternoon. The homes of many others were flooded and their vehicles swept away in the midst of a powerful storm that at times was like a hurricane.

The Archdiocese of Valencia, which had made its facilities and resources available to citizens on Tuesday afternoon, found it was unable to meet all the needs it wanted to.

“The parishes have also been affected, but to the extent of our possibilities we must keep in mind all those who suffer, that they feel in us a helping hand, a brotherly hand, who knows how to feel compassion for them and who knows how to be attentive to their needs,” Benavent explained.

Regarding those who have temporarily been left without a roof over their heads, the archbishop expressed his hope that “they may find in the Church, in Christians, a helping hand from brothers and a helping hand from friends. In this way we will also show that we are children of the Virgin of the Abandoned.”

Caritas Spain mobilizes emergency campaign

Area diocesan Caritas have contacted the Archdiocese of Valencia to offer their services, as confirmed to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, by Marisa Villaroig, head of Caritas in the Diocese of Segorbe-Castellón.

“We have put ourselves at their disposal. We are waiting for the damage to be assessed” to determine the specific needs, she indicated.

“We are a little heavy hearted,” confessed Villaroig, who said she is personally going to take in some people from Valencia in her home.

Caritas Spain has announced the launch of a campaign to respond to the emergency situation in which the Valencia and Albacete branches, present in the hardest-hit areas, have a special role, despite the fact that they have also been affected.

Condolences and support from different dioceses

Since early in the morning, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and dioceses have publicly expressed their sorrow for the lost lives, their dismay over the material disasters and their readiness to work on material and spiritual recovery.

The archbishop of Valladolid and president of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Luis Argüello, expressed on X his concern and invoked the Virgin of the Abandoned to “comfort and support everyone” and promised help from the conference.

Both Argüello and the conference’s secretary general, Bishop Francisco César García Magán, have written letters to the archbishop of Valencia and the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Albacete, Monsignor Julián Ros, to express “their pain and closeness.”

The archbishop of Barcelona, ​​Cardinal Juan José Omella, said he was “shocked by the tragic images coming to us from Valencia and Albacete” and pledged his prayers “for the victims, their families, and all those affected.”

“Experiences like this remind us of the fragility of our human condition and open us to the hope of eternal life in heaven,” the cardinal said.

The archbishop of Granada, José María Gil Tamayo, also expressed his condolences, as did the archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses.

The bishop of León, Luis Ángel de las Heras, and the bishop of Getafe, Ginés García, among others, also expressed their condolences.

On an institutional level, the Dioceses of Vitoria, Ávila and Mondoñedo-Ferrol, as well as the Archdiocese of Madrid, have also expressed their grief.

The Spanish government has declared three days of official mourning for the tragedy.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.


Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260181/church-in-spain-mobilizes-as-severe-flooding-leaves-more-than-60-dead


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.