 23rd May 2008 Shijiazhuang: Jinde Charities/XindeNews Bishop Joseph Li Liangui, Bishop of Xianxian (Cangzhou) Diocese, Vice-chairman of Jinde¡¯s Board of Directors, arrived Shijiazhuang at 4:40 p.m. from the disaster-stricken area in Sichuan. Though still suffering from effects of influenza, he gave up his rest for this interview. As a representative of the clergy both at home and abroad, friends of Jinde, he conveyed his care and concern to all the victims in the disaster areas. Between 19th ¨C 23rd May, he visited the first line relief workers and the religious sisters who were serving these victims. The followings were recorded during the interview.
Reporter: What will be your greatest impression during your visit to the first line workers to the disaster area?
Bishop Li: The earthquake at Wen Chuan has shaken the hearts of all the Chinese people. Jinde Charities has collaborated with various local churches in a joint effort to provide material relief, and to assign religious sisters and volunteers to undertake relief works. This is a very good operation and when I visited these volunteers and nuns, they have done a great job. The victims were willing to talk to the sisters, pouring out their grief and sorrow, trusting them as friends.
Furthermore, after the occurrence of earthquake, Jinde Charities, not only organized a team of volunteers to provide service at the site, has actively and expeditiously engaged itself in liaison with overseas voluntary agencies for support. It is fortunate to enlist the generous support from Caritas Germany, pledging help to provide tents to accommodate the victims at a cost over 10 million yuans. This is the meaningful building of the first Bridge of Charity, with the hope of solving in part the pressing needs of the victims.
Another aspect of the disaster-stricken area was that general atmosphere was not on the edge of despair. The care and warmth generated from the country as family members provide compassion and help for one another, and generally they have been taken good care by all the helpers. Undoubtedly, earthquake is a natural disaster, but it has shaken up compassion and care from others. That is a very moving sight.
Reporter: The first phase of Rescue work will shift its core of attention to disease prevention, remedial action against recurrence of disaster and re-construction of disaster-stricken areas. What will the future direction of Religion-sponsored relief works after the completion of the first phase?
Bishop Li: Reconstruction of disaster-stricken area is a long-term project, requiring massive capital investment. We will continue to support the victims with material relief but due to the limitation of financial resources, we can pledge is to do to the best of our ability. But I feel it is more important to rebuild their spirits and psychological health with love and care so that they can go through the shadow of disaster as soon as possible. This is an urgent task that must be done.
Property lost during the earthquake can be replaced but the loss of life of some dear ones will not be replaceable. The mental injury inflicted upon the victims will be tremendous and rebuilding one¡¯s life should be given recognition and assistance. Our Catholic Church together with other religions has effective resources and strength. We can initiate active step to liaise with government departments, for the rebuilding one¡¯s spirit and mental normalcy, through effective avenues of assistance to these people.
When I saw the victims pouring out their worries and pains to the nuns who served them, I realized that rebuilding one¡¯s spirit through the comfort of religions will have great potential.
Regarding the children orphaned by this disaster, physically handicapped persons, the Church can help to establish Kindergarten, Children¡¯s Home, Home for Aged to care for them. The Church can be service in this area.
Reporter: In view of disaster of this proportion, all the Chinese peoples take part in relief and work of charity. As a charity agency of a Church, what will be meaning of participation of relief work?
Bishop Li: The earthquake at Wen Chuan has shaken the world. In matter of Rescue/Relief, people of goodwill have superceded the boundaries of faith, country or race. The Church is a Community of Love and should endeavor to take active part in Rescue/Relief works ¨C in a common journey with love
On the other hand, there are many individuals or associations within the Catholic Church who may take a positive part in charity works. Through the agency of charity works of the Church, all charity works or projects will be more effectively, properly regulated in orderly fashion according to plan, and more direct through channel of the agency concerned.
The assignment of religious sisters and teams of volunteers to the disaster areas have won recognition and appreciation both from the victims the local government departments
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