r.
Peter Sartorio arrived in Bukavu on the evening of Jan. 20 and sent
this report. On Jan. 15, just as Mass was finishing, some
people arrived advising us to leave quickly because the lave from
the Nyiragongo volcano was coming towards the town. The people
left without even taking necessary items from their homes. He
immediately found himself in the middle of a flood of frightened
people, it was about 7:30pm. Adults, children, animals, all of
them trying to escape faster than the others from the approaching
ranger. In the dark, illuminated only by the glow of the lava
and the few cars that were on the road, they felt the hot air,
infested with the smell of sulphur and dust. Among the cries
of the panic-stricken crowd, two robust men, seeing Fr. Peter in
difficulty, approached him and said: "we know you! You are our
priest! Until now you have helped us. Now it is our turn to
help you!" They were two prisoners of the penitentiary
where Fr. Sartorio was the chaplain. They helped him to walk,
even carrying him when necessary, and accompanied him to the door of
the house of the parish priest of Gisenyi, Rwanda, arriving at
midnight, worn-out, but safe.
International help is still needed, and the situation is complicated because Goma is held by guerrilla forces. Business is almost at a standstill.
We were given a warm welcome by the two Italian Volunteers who are still looking for a place to stay - writes Fr. Vavassori, who recently returned from a trip to Goma. - The town is a scene of desolation: a long strip of lava, which some estimate as being half mile long has crossed the entire city center, sweeping away churches (only the walls of the cathedral remain, a beautiful church recently built), schools (40 have been destroyed according to reports), Religious houses, stores, various warehouses, etc.... Our own house was buried by the lava. Despite the apocalyptic scenario, the people are inspired by an edifying courage, will to live and a spirit of adaptation."
The Jan. 18
volcanic eruption of Nyiragongo in Congo destroyed 40 schools, most
of them run by the Catholic Church, leaving 24,000 children without
schooling and 700 teachers without work. The extent of the
damage was reported to the African Catholic agency CISA by
missionary Father Patxi Otondo, parish priest of Our Lady of Africa,
in West Goma.
International help is still needed, and the situation is complicated
because Goma is held by guerrilla forces, the priest
explained. Business is almost at a standstill. Some fear that
Mount Nyiragongo could erupt again, threatening 500,000 lives,
Father Otondo continued.
Father J.M. Balegamire of the Crisis Committee has called for help
from various groups. The International Bureau of Solidarity reported
pledges of financial support from sister offices worldwide. A
"tent school" has been set up in Goma to help students
finish their academic year.
(From Xaverian News)