Archdiocesan Bushfires Response

08/01/2020 – BUSHFIRE UPDATE: Affected Parishes express deep gratitude for prayers, support, concerns and care

Update on bushfires within our Archdiocese

  1. Cobargo and Bermagui are currently inaccessible to the public
  2. The aftermath of the bushfires has brought extensive smoke and ash damage to the areas of Tumut, Pambula, Merimbula, Eden, Mary Mackillop Hall and Wyndham.
    Clean-up in these areas will require ongoing financial support.
  3. Fires have eased and are at “Advice” level across the Eden, Morton, Currowan (Shoalhaven), Clyde Mountain (Batemans Bay) and Badja (Moruya, Narooma)

Update on contributions

  1. The Diocese of Wagga and the Cathedral Parish, Canberra have contributed to a family in Bodalla, in the Parish of Moruya.
  2. Individual donations from within and outside of the Archdiocese have been received and will be sent directly to affected families.
  3. Watson, Wanniassa, Curtin, Goulburn, Crookwell Parishes and the Order of Malta will contribute to the Parish of Batemans Bay.
  4. Pearce, Gungahlin and Kambah Parishes and the Order of Malta will contribute to the Parish of Cobargo.
  5. The Order of Malta has contributed $10,000 in food vouchers.
  6. The Diocese of Wagga Wagga, Cathedral and Central Canberra Parishes will contribute to the Parish of Moruya
  7. Gowrie Parish will contribute to Pambula Parish.
  8. Narrabundah Parish will contribute to the Parishes of Batlow and Adelong.

National Catholic Church response

  1. The Bishops Conference has been coordinating with key national agencies including Catholic Health Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, the National Catholic Education Commission and the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) to ensure an effective response from the wider Catholic community.
  2. Practical support is being given to connect people affected by the bushfires with people who can help with tasks such as preparing meals, clearing properties, rebuilding communities, as well as pastoral and counselling support.
  3. Catholic Education will provide fee-help to families with children in Catholic schools who have been affected by the bushfires.

Messages of thanks

Apart from the financial generosity shown to those affected by the bushfires, our Clergy and parishioners have expressed deep gratitude for all the prayers, support, concerns and care.

07/01/2020 – BUSHFIRE UPDATE: A surge of goodwill brings hope to those affected by the bushfires

Update on Bushfires

  1. In addition to the losses reported yesterday, I can confirm that a family has lost their house in Bemboka and another in Batlow.
  2. Property damage has been sustained in Jerangle, but no loss of houses. The same can be said of Adelong.

Update on Contributions

  1. The Diocese of Wagga and the Cathedral Parish, Canberra have contributed to a family in Bodalla, in the Parish of Moruya.
  2. One of our clergy has helped with the funeral expenses of a Cobargo resident.
  3. Watson Parish and the Parish of Wanniassa will contribute to the Parish of Batemans Bay.
  4. The Parish of Corpus Christi will contribute to the Parish of Pambula.
  5. The Parish of Sacred Heart, Pearce will contribute to the Parish of Cobargo.
  6. The Parish of Holy Spirit, Gungahlin, will contribute to the Parish of Cobargo.
  7. The Order of Malta has contributed $20,000 that will be immediately distributed to those who have lost home

06/01/2020 – Preliminary Bushfire Response

We now have some details of the damage in our parish communities. More information will come in the next 24/48 hours:

  1. Two parishioners in the parish of Cobargo perished in the fire (which received media coverage).
  2. Four parishioners in the parish of Cobargo have lost houses.
  3. Two parishioners in the parish of Moruya have lost houses in the town and surrounds of Bodalla.
  4. Seven parishioners in the parish and school community of Batemans Bay have lost houses.
  5. The Church of Our Lady of the Princes Highway, Kiah, in the parish of Pambula has been lost.
  6. There has been loss of property in the parish of Bega, in the town and surrounds of Bemboka, but numbers are not clear at this stage.
  7. We are awaiting details from the communities of Jerangle, Batlow and Adelong. If you have additional information, then please communicate.

You will receive communications, too, from the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Education and CatholicCare. Let’s work together as best we can.

We are grateful to the Diocese of Wagga and the Order of Malta who are going to contribute financially to our relief work.

With every blessing and deep gratitude for people’s evident resilience, concern and practical love,

Father Anthony Percy,
Vicar General, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

 

other important resources:

Bushfire Recovery Assistance
Helping Children Cope with Stress