Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek of the Seoul Archdiocese expressed condolences for the victims of the recent floods and landslides in the Himalayan region bordering Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, offering comfort and solidarity to affected residents.
In a message of consolation on August 27, the archbishop stated, "I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all those who have lost their peaceful daily lives in an instant due to this sudden disaster and are struggling to protect their families and homes."
He added, "I pray that those who lost their lives may find eternal peace in God's embrace, and that the missing may safely return to their families. I also hope that the affected areas stabilize quickly without further loss of life."
On August 26, local time, severe flooding and landslides occurred in the Himalayan mountainous region near the border of Nepal and Tibet, resulting in numerous casualties and missing persons. Rescue and search operations have faced challenges due to disrupted roads, communication, and power networks in the affected areas.
Archbishop Jeong also expressed gratitude and encouragement to the rescue workers, medical personnel, and volunteers deployed under difficult conditions.
He said, "I pray for the safety of the rescue workers, medical staff, and volunteers who are rushing to the disaster site to provide aid and rescue. I hope their efforts bring hope and courage to those in need."
The archbishop extended his condolences to Korean citizens affected by the disaster as well. He stated, "The Seoul Archdiocese conveys deep sympathy and solidarity to the residents of the affected areas in Nepal and Tibet, as well as to the Korean citizens who have suffered losses. I hope God's comfort is with those who have lost loved ones, and that all who have lost their homes can quickly return to their daily lives."
Archbishop Jeong plans to send a letter of condolence to Father Silas Krishna Bogati, the acting bishop of the Nepalese diocese, to convey the archdiocese's solidarity and support for the residents in the affected areas.
The Seoul Archdiocese is also considering emergency relief support for the affected regions. The Archdiocese's One Body Movement and the Babo's Sharing Foundation are discussing support measures through Caritas Internationalis.
Both organizations plan to collaborate with local Caritas to assess the specific damage and relief efforts, ensuring that necessary assistance reaches the disaster victims and affected residents promptly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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