And now floods: Bishop writes

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 January 2011 20:12 Wednesday, 19 January 2011 19:54

The death toll looks as if it is increasing as the post-flood clean-up proceeds and many people have been injured, while many others are traumatised by loss of family and belongings – in some cases whole homes have been ruined.

I am grateful that across the Diocese the people of Queensland are being remembered in prayers.

As you know the Diocese of Brisbane is a companion Diocese of the Diocese of Wellington and over the past seven years a strong bond has been built up between the two Dioceses, Clergy and Bishops. In keeping with that bond I have offered to Archbishop Phillip Aspinall and Regional Bishop Rob Nolan in the Inland region, to send [at this stage] up to four clergy to assist Parishes with the provision of spiritual and pastoral care.

We now have four clergy on stand-by and two of these are required immediately. We shall be taking responsibility to fund the fares of this first response group and the Diocese of Brisbane will look after them when there. We shall seek to respond as and when we can.

What else can we do?

Pray for the sufferers of course, and those who wish to donate can do so to the Appeal launched by the NZ Anglican Missions Board. If there are other clergy who wish to volunteer for the reserve response team please let us know and if there are Parishes who can contribute all or part of a fare to get people over there we would like to hear from you as well.

By responding in this way we can as members of the Diocese of Wellington compassionately serve our brothers and sisters in the Brisbane Diocese.

+Tom
Bishop of Wellington