Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

Greetings to you from my devasted Diocese of Antsiranana in Northern Madagascar:

I am requesting your emergency help to save the people in my Diocese, which was badly hit by fierce tropical Cyclone Indlala on Thursday 15th March.

The homeless, according to official sources in the region, number approximately 5,000.

The town of Antalaha has been badly damaged and the church and school - which has just been repaired - have suffered bad damage. And so it goes for all my 125 church communities in the Diocese: extensive damage to houses, churches and civil infrastructure has resulted from 150-km/hour gust of wind and strong rains.

Andapa, Sambava, Vohemar, Daraina, Ambanja, Anaborano Ifasy, Mardimaka Ambanja, Diego Suarez and other towns are among the list of affected places.

In the region of Ambilobe, where I recently ordained the new priest, the Revd David Hamilton, and the deacon, the Rev Ndramora Michel, at St Michael's Church, 20 hectares of rice fields have been completely destroyed by flooding. The flooded river has also devastated the community.

As I return home from the TEAM (Towards Effective Anglican Mission) conference in Boksburg, South Africa, I hope that this SOS from my poverty-stricken Diocese of the Communion will receive favourable attention from you all.

I pray that the MDGs will further the Communion partnership at this time of suffering and helplessness in my devasted Diocese.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

‘Lord God, out of the deep I call out unto your Holy Name, Hear my cry!’

In Christ Jesus
Bishop Roger Chung

Item from: Diocese of Antsiranana - Indian Ocean