Hyderabad Archdiocese solicits aid for Nepal flood victims  

HYDERABAD, Telangana, (Indian Catholic News) — Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad has appealed for prayers and relief collections to aid victims in Nepal, where a devastating flash flood has left more than 1,300 people dead. 

“As you may already be aware, our neighbouring nation of Nepal has been struck by a devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, which has claimed precious lives, injured many, displaced countless families, and caused extensive damage to homes, livelihoods and infrastructure,” Cardinal Poola wrote. 

 He noted, “the scale of this tragedy weighs heavily on our hearts, and as members of the one human family, we cannot remain unmoved by the suffering of our brothers and sisters across the border.”  

On Sept. 7, Nepalis observed a national day of mourning with half-mast flags and candlelit vigils, marking the end of the traditional 13-day Hindu mourning period. 

Commemorations were scaled back as rescue teams continue searching for over 5,500 missing people. More than 1,300 people died after a flash flood, believed to be caused by a glacial collapse, swept through Himalayan valley villages along the Nepal-Tibet border. 

Call to prayer and relief collections 

Writing as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, he stated he conveyed “heartfelt condolences and prayerful solidarity with the people of Nepal.” As Hyderabad archbishop, he now addresses a “personal appeal” to local Catholics “so that our own local Churches may respond to this national call with particular fervour and generosity.” 

Community leaders were requested to “include special prayers and intentions for the deceased, the missing, the injured and the displaced of Nepal” in Masses.  

Churches were asked to “take up a special collection in your parishes and institutions” on Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 towards relief and rehabilitation efforts for the flash flood victims. 

Funds forwarded to the Archdiocesan Chancery by Sept. 16, marked “Nepal Flood Relief,” will be channelled “promptly, through the appropriate Church agencies, to those in need.”  

“Let this be for us not merely an act of charity, but a genuine expression of the Gospel call to love our neighbour, especially in times of distress,” Cardinal Poola stated.

He added that he is confident “the generosity and compassion of the faithful of our Archdiocese, as always, will bring comfort and hope to those who have lost so much.”

Read the letter.