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Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of the Archdiocese of Seoul. / Courtesy of the Catholic Church

Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of the Archdiocese of Seoul issued a message on the 13th for victims of the Colombia earthquake, saying, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Colombia, who have lost family and neighbors in an instant and now find even their livelihoods under threat."

Archbishop Chung expressed condolences for those who died in the earthquake and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and the safe return of those still missing, saying, "Together with all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Seoul, I will pray for the victims, their bereaved families, the injured, and all the people of Colombia affected by this disaster." He added, "I earnestly pray that the Lord will give courage and comfort to those in grief, and grant them the strength to rise again without losing hope, even amid deep despair."

The Archdiocese of Seoul's One Heart One Body Movement and the Babo's Nanum Foundation have each decided to provide $50,000, for a total of $100,000 in emergency relief funding, to be delivered through Caritas Internationalis to support the areas affected by the earthquake.

The One Heart One Body Movement will also hold a special fundraising drive through September 18 to deliver additional funds to Caritas Internationalis. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on the 10th (local time) has killed more than 200 people so far.

                                                                                                          Hwang Ui-jung