A platform that encourages healthy conversation, spiritual support, growth and fellowship
NOLACatholic Parenting Podcast
A natural progression of our weekly column in the Clarion Herald and blog
The best in Catholic news and inspiration - wherever you are!
When you saw the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, what was your reaction?
It certainly reminded me of the pictures that I saw from afar from Hurricane Katrina and also more recently with Hurricane Isaac. This just brings back a flood of memories for the people in the archdiocese who have suffered so much. Some lost their lives, and many have had to rebuild their homes and their lives. This brings all of that back to our memory. There are perhaps few people in the United States who could be as empathetic as we are to the people on the East Coast. We know what it’s like. We know the feeling of helplessness and devastation. I’m sure Catholics and other people in the metropolitan area of New Orleans have been in prayerful solidarity with the people on the East Coast. More than 90 people have died in Sandy, and millions and millions of people have been without electricity and suffered damage, some of it devastating.
Do you know any priests in that area?
I’ve heard from a couple of priests that I know. They tell me that many parishes have been severely damaged. Father Stephen Fichter, who is a priest in Newark, N.J., and has given workshops for priests in our own archdiocese, told me how much his parish has been affected. After Katrina, his parish consistently sponsored trips in which young people came down to assist in the rebuilding of our area. Now his parish may be without power for a couple of weeks and there is lots of damage.
In some sense, does a natural disaster such as Sandy destroy the notion of our own invincibility?
It makes us realize that we are not in control of our own lives. God does not send hurricanes or tornadoes, but he allows nature to take its course. When nature takes its course, we realize that sometimes we can be victims of the ravages of nature. As we said when Hurricane Isaac came here, God does not abandon us; rather, he is our protection, our strength and the rock upon which we stand. This is another wakeup call for us to realize that there are many things beyond our control and that, as human beings, in many ways we are very vulnerable. It’s in those vulnerable times that we have to reach out to help those in need. We certainly would welcome any gifts from the people of the archdiocese to the people of the East Coast. We will be sending any gifts that we get as soon as possible.
We’ve still got a lot of damage to recover from because of Hurricane Isaac.
There’s no question that just as we are in solidarity with the people on the East Coast, there are places in our own archdiocese that are devastated. We have families inconvenienced because they are still not back in their homes, and this has created a great financial burden. Some people had insurance, but some didn’t. The deductibles for insurance are so high that making repairs is a struggle. So, we can empathize with the people of the East Coast, and we need to continue to help each other out in our own backyard. There’s a lot of challenge and pain here. Some families who could afford Catholic schools are now struggling a lot.
Does Hurricane Sandy’s intensity and size this late in the season cause you to wonder if something crazy is going on with the environment?
I think so. Some people call it global warming; others call it by other names. But it would seem to me – from what I see on the news and the weather channels – that these kinds of natural disasters are taking place more frequently and they seem to be more devastating. Historically, to even have a hurricane this late is very unusual. To have one that’s 500 miles wide is highly unusual. And then, how long as has it been since a hurricane has hit that part of the East Coast? I can’t remember. So, something is happening. Of course, in many ways, this is another wakeup call that we don’t always treat the environment very well. We do things in industry and in our personal lives that do not necessarily contribute to the good of the environment. This bears observation and reflection. I pray for everyone who has been affected. I ask God’s blessings on all so that they persevere and do not lose hope.
Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected].
Tags: God, Hurricane Sandy, Uncategorized