In these days there is news of strong fires on the island of Madeira. There have been no casualties but significant damage due to the neglect of man. Even our communities on the island have been subject to danger. In similar instances people remain speechless before the destructive power of fire. In a telegram to the bishop of Funchal Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people affected by the fires. The Portuguese Church is promoting a collection in all the churches to help those who have suffered the most. Msgr. Ornelas, former SCJ superior general and the bishop of the Diocese of Setúbal, said in a message to the diocese that the Year of Mercy gives “special motivation to the natural impulse to lend a hand to those who are most in need, motivated by the lesson of the Good Samaritan.”
