Fund Continues Relief Efforts In Mexico
Episcopal News Service. October 3, 1985 [85198]
NEW YORK (DPS, Oct. 3) -- "Tears [had been] coming unexpectedly to my eyes often as I thought about what had happened to our beautiful city. But we know now that we can go on." So wrote Nancy Howard, director of Christian education for Christ Church, Mexico City. Among those helping Mexico to go on is the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief.
Initial relief grants for Mexico from the Fund include one for $10,000, sent at the request of the Rt. Rev. Samuel Espinoza, Bishop of Western Mexico, to aid the homeless in his diocese, mainly in Ciudad Guzman; and one for $30,000, sent at the request of the Rt. Rev. Jose Saucedo, Bishop of Central and South Mexico, to aid the homeless in Mexico City.
Assessment of the damage is continuing, and requests for further relief aid will come from Mexico as the needs are identified. Saucedo has requested that a member of the Fund's staff travel to Mexico City as soon as possible to aid in planning the Church's response.
Saucedo reported to members of the World Mission staff at the Episcopal Church Center that it is a "tremendous" situation. Relief and rehabilitation work has been prioritized by the government of Mexico as reconstruction of homes, clinics and hospitals and schools, in that order.
Many are homeless. The St. Andrew's Theological Seminary in Mexico City is one of many albergues (boarding facilities) taking the homeless in and providing sleeping areas, food, clothing and medicines. The seminary is currently caring for approximately 100 people, with members of St. Andrew's, Christ Church and the Cathedral cooking food and teaching crafts such as sewing. The seminary also has had three teachers and one social worker assigned to it by the government. Other theological communities will also be open to these refugees.
As of this date, the only church building reported damaged is the Cathedral in Mexico City. It is a landmark building, and there is hope that the government will assist in rebuilding.
The Rt. Rev. Leonardo Romero, Bishop of Northern Mexico and President of Province IX, spoke with members of the World Mission staff following a visit of his own to Mexico City, and he also has been in contact with the bishops of the Province. He reports that the government of Mexico is coordinating the work to be done: 100 public buildings were destroyed; there are at least 40,000 homeless; three hospitals in Mexico City were destroyed. At the time of his report, 5,000 dead had been found in buildings and homes with still more in the rubble. Many public markets were destroyed. All utilities need to be restored. The people are afraid to use the contaminated water even to wash dishes or clothing, and ways to obtain water from sources outside of the City are being explored. There is also much dust. A heavy cloud is over Mexico City, and the visibility at the airport is reported to be severely reduced.
Romero expressed his belief that life in Mexico is going to change. He added that he thanks God for the many friends from Latin America, the United States and all over the world who are working together. By learning how to work together, he said, it is being proven that no one can work in isolation; we are interdependent and united, one with another.
Where classes are being held, the children are writing "thank you" letters to all who have and are giving so much of themselves to assist. These letters are being delivered to the embassies in Mexico, which will send them on to the appropriate country.
The Rt. Rev. G. Edward Haynsworth, executive for World Mission, Episcopal Church Center, has sent a telex to all diocesan bishops and communicators advising that word has been received from the bishops of the three dioceses in Mexico "who are well and responding to the needs of people in Central and South and Western Dioceses." He stressed that no money should be sent by mail or transfer to Mexico. All monies are to be sent to the Fund, which will forward them through safe channels. He also requested that the bishops advise their congregations of this procedure.
Those interested in contributing to the ongoing work should send donations, marked for Mexican relief, to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017.