USCCB Delegation to Visit Church in El Salvador in Wake of Tropical Storm

WASHINGTON—Following recent weather emergencies in El Salvador, Bishop John Manz, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago and a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Subcommittees on the Church in Latin America and the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers, will visit El Salvador December 1-3. He will travel with Oblate Father Andrew Small, director for the Church in Latin America at the USCCB.  They will visit local communities to see first-hand the impact of the flooding. They will also visit with Church leaders in affected areas of San Salvador, Cuscatlán y San Vicente, and La Libertad.

The impact of the tropical storm last month was severe.  Nearly 14 inches of rain hit the center of the country. One hundred ninety-eight people are confirmed dead and 77 are still missing.  Thousands of homes were totally destroyed, along with major roads and bridges.  Church properties also have been heavily damaged, hindering the Church’s pastoral response to the disaster. Access to health care and education also has been impacted.

"American Catholics care deeply about those who are hit by storms and earthquakes and are left without a home, food or running water. The Collection for the Church in Latin America is able to provide essential emergency care to the Church because of the generosity of ordinary Catholics who contribute to the annual Collection," said Bishop Manz.  Last year, over $7 million was raised to help support pastoral programs and faith formation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

More information on the Church in Latin America and the annual Collection to support it can be found at www.usccb.org/latinamerica.

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Keywords: Latin America, El Salvador, USCCB, U.S. Catholic Bishops, migrants, refugees, travelers, Bishop John Manz, Collection for Church in Latin America