Letter on the Earthquake

January 28, 1999

Most Reverend Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo, P.S.S.
Archbishop of Medellín
President, Episcopal Conference of Colombia
Apartado Aéreo 7448
Santafé de Bogotá
COLOMBIA
Fax: (011)(571) 311-5693

Your Excellency,

I write in the name of the Bishops of the United States to express to you and all the people of Colombia our profound sympathy in this time of great sorrow because of the powerful earthquake of last Monday, January 25, that caused such terrible loss of life and goods.

Our prayers are raised in particular for the Church and people of the areas most affected, especially in the Dioceses of Armenia and Pereira. I would be grateful, Excellency, if you would share this expression of our fraternal concern and solidarity with the Bishops of those dioceses.

It is our fervent hope that many in the international community, including very especially our own government of the United States, will respond appropriately and generously to the great needs of the people in the affected areas.

I am confident that the Church of the United States, especially through our relief and development agency, Catholic Relief Services, will do all in our power to provide critically needed assistance.

With assurance of our prayers, I remain

Fraternally yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza
Bishop of Galveston-Houston
President