Advertisement

Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa Express Solidarity with US Church amid Destructive California Wildfires

Credit: IMBISA

Members of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) have expressed solidarity with the Catholic Church in the United States and communities affected by the ongoing wildfires that have driven thousands out of their homes.

In a Monday, January 20 statement, the IMBISA Secretariat conveyed concern over the devastation caused by the fires, which continue to impact various regions across the United States, with significant developments in California and Texas resulting in the loss of lives and significant destruction.

“These fires have left many families grieving and communities struggling to recover, and IMBISA cannot remain indifferent in the face of such devastation,” the secretariat said in the statement.

The IMBISA officials added, “As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) continues to play a significant role in advancing evangelization efforts across the African continent, the IMBISA Secretariat feels a profound connection to the people and Church of the United States.”

“In this time of hardship, we want to express our solidarity and offer our prayers for the victims and their families,” said the secretariat of the representatives of the Catholic Bishops from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Advertisement

Reports indicate that, in Los Angeles, wildfires have caused significant disruptions, including the destruction of homes and the evacuation of thousands of residents.

The Guardian reported that new wildfires have broken out in southern California following winds that picked up on Tuesday, January 21.

According to the Tuesday, January 21 report, The weather service issued a warning of a “particularly dangerous situation for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning due to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds.”

“The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start,” the report indicates.

The fires reportedly began on Tuesday, January 7 and spread rapidly due to dry conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. Multiple blazes remained unchecked across thousands of acres as firefighters worked to gain control.

More in Africa

Among the destroyed structures was Corpus Christi Catholic Church. However, in what some consider miraculous, a Virgin Mary statue survived the blaze that consumed one parishioner’s home — the only item left standing after the fire reduced the building to ashes.

In Texas, the A&M Forest Service reportedly responded to one new wildfire, burning six acres across the state. Currently, 101 counties are said to have issued burn bans due to dry conditions and increased fire risk. Residents are urged to adhere to local guidelines to prevent further incidents.

The country’s National Interagency Fire Center has reported three large active fires under full suppression strategies: two in California and one in Texas, covering a total of 38,289 acres. No new large fires have been reported recently, and no fires have been contained as of the latest update.

In their January 20 statement, the IMBISA Secretariat affirmed the Southern African Bishops’ spiritual support and prayers for the US Church, acknowledging their inability to offer material assistance.

“We ask the Lord to bring comfort to the grieving, alleviate the suffering of those affected, and welcome into His eternal embrace those who have tragically lost their lives,” the secretariat said.

Advertisement

IMBISA also expressed hope for a swift recovery for affected communities, reaffirming their commitment to standing in faith with those impacted by the disaster. “Our hearts and prayers are with you during this challenging time,” the Secretariat said.

In his January 11 telegram that the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, released, Pope Francis expressed his condolences to Los Angeles communities affected by the devastating wildfires.

The Holy Father entrusted “the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God” and sent “heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.