A Pastoral Message from Bishop Tim re the Flooding event
Dear Friends,
Greetings. In recent days many of you have experienced heavy rain and flooding. It seems for the most part however that Townsville has dodged a bullet in terms of the effects. Other communities have not been so lucky. I am thinking of Ingham and Giru in particular. Damage to houses and property is significant. Sadly, one person has died in Ingham. I don’t have to tell you that North Queenslanders are resilient given that these events are not new.
Nevertheless, when they do occur a certain amount of trauma and distress is evident. I lived through the 2019 floods and my house at that time was severely impacted.
Centacare North Queensland, our social services agency, has provided a presence in the Heatley and North Ward evacuation facilities reaching out as required. I have communicated with the acting Mayor of Townsville and the Mayor of Hinchinbrook and some parish leaders assuring them of our prayerful support, as well as our support on the ground. The recovery phase will be long and hard so this weekend I ask that we continue to hold close to our hearts our brothers and sisters in their time of need.
God is a God of mercy and compassion, so I trust that we will walk together with those most impacted by being the face of Christ to all. Our God shows us how we are to treat each other. May those calls for help that we may see or personally witness not go unanswered.
With every best wish,
MOST REV TIMOTHY J HARRIS
Bishop of Townsville